A bear got 6/7 of my chickens...

[Psei]

In addition to the electric fencing, I suggest that you be diligent in removing all feeders in the evening. Fencing can fail, and that feed is like a beacon, calling in those bears.
@Psei, where are you located? Maybe we can point you in the right direction for some new chicks.

I feed them periodically during the day and dont even leave feeders out ever (to keep rodents away) and we keep the feed in the garage not near the coop. The coop is next to a hill that is covered in bearberry so I'm wondering if they came for the berries and stayed for the chickens.

I'm close to Denver. Warble Feed told me that have two more shipments of chicks coming this Thursday and next so I am going to see what they have to offer... I hope I keep it together, when I called and talked to them I started crying (had been fairly calm until then).

 

[cmom]

No it will not kill him but will make him think again before he touches it again. I have had coyotes and foxes and haven't found a dead one yet.

 

[cmom]

I have heard them come in contact with the wire when the windows are open usually in the spring when the young investigate.

 

[junebuggena]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/colorado.68894/page-2829
Here's the thread for folks in Colorado. Might find someone there with some chicks or pullets that need rehoming.

 

[azygous]

Intimidating to predators, yes, but very easy to install. Poly wire is the cheapest material. It doesn't need to be thick and heavy. The insulators come in all sorts of shapes and sizes according to what you will need to attach them to. The handles allow you to open doors and gates without turning off the charger. It's actually lots of fun to wrap the wires around your run and coop. No splicing required. Just cut with scissors and tie a knot.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

This story makes me want to go the hot wire route before my first attack. What height do you folks have the wire(s)?

Five wires total with one @ 4-6 inches off the ground, one at 10 inches, 20 inches, 30, & 36 inches is about right.

 

[cmom]

I haven't lost a bird to a predator in a very long time. I have netting over my pens to keep the owls out at night and hawks during the day, the poly wire rope and a 15 mile 1 joule fence charger. Some years ago after a fox dug under a gate and killed several birds, I put concrete under the gates.