After almost 2 years something got in?

[jllracer55]

After having chickens for almost 2 years and not having any issues with predators we finally did this week went through my normal routine of checking on the birds, making sure water was good,ect. only to discover I was missing one. Looked all over the coop/ run and did not see her, went outside of the coop and around the corner only to find the wings a bone or two and her legs/feet remaining. Something had a good feast on her. Now im discovering we have 2 problems maybe 3.. 1. what further steps can I do to prevent this in the future?? 2. what can I do about a hen that is so tramatized by this she is inactive with other hens and simply wants to constantly fly to higher ground and stay there constantly watching her surroundings. and 3. it seems whatever this was ripped off staples and big sections of chicken wire. I have since re-stapled it a lot but am afraid this is not enough? Should I consider the hardware cloth? what else to keep them away? traps? electric fence? I know it was just a chicken but its really bugged me.. she was a good layer/bird overall and im terrified of whatever this was (thinking a coon or coons) coming back for more.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Sorry about your hen. Unfortunately chicken wire is NOT predator proof - I only use it to fence chickens out of things, never in. Hardware cloth or a small opening welded wire is a better bet. Also not sure what you're using to staple it in place but regular wood staples can be pulled out. If you're attaching to wood either screws with washers or sandwiching the hardware cloth between wood and then screwing that together provides more security.

Also if you don't currently have an apron around the coop/run and have the possibility of digging predators in your area, adding one is also a good idea.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Recommend hardware cloth attached (nails/staples that shaped like a "U" that's pounded in with a hammer). Not sure where you're located, so not sure what kind of predators in the area. Have you looked around for tracks/paw prints? Perhaps setting a live animal trap in the area would catch it. It will probably return knowing it got it's meal there. Perhaps setting out some poison bait but that wouldn't work if you have pets roaming around. As for the traumatized hen, patience but make sure she's eating/drinking.....

rosemarythyme

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Replace the coop wire with 1 inch by 1 inch welded wire then roto-till a 2 foot strip all the way around the coop and the run as well. Lay an apron of 1/2 inch welded wire over the tilled ground then affix the hardware cloth to the 1 inch welded wire by using either "J" clips or hog rings. Toss loose dirt on top of the hardware cloth apron, wet it in, and your ready to go.

 

[jllracer55]

What was riped open I thought originally had those U staples as I thought that was a lot better than the regular staples. My wife gave me a great idea that I am going to look into further which is a shutter system over the hardware cloth when I get that far.. am also thinking to attach servos or motors to these shutters so they automatically open during sunrise/sunset so it dont confuse the birds. I have yet to see paw prints but the roof had scratches and trails of blood, I am thinking the one they got tried to get away but she got caught/stuck between the tree and the fence and had no where to go so whatever was after her cornered her and then had dinner.. Really wish I could capture it or them.. and enhance the run/coop.

 

[Sara Ranch]

*hugs*

 

[lilmillefleur]

sorry about your hen.

 

[Peace Love Hens]

I'm so sorry for the loss of your hen. Many virtual hugs.

 

[Nardo]

I am thinking the one they got tried to get away but she got caught/stuck between the tree and the fence and had no where to go so whatever was after her cornered her and then had dinner.. Really wish I could capture it or them.. and enhance the run/coop.[/QUOTE]

Generally, dogs play with their food - opossums usually stick to smaller chicks- hawks hunt during the day - cats (even big ones) drag it off somewhere private and eat it or else leave the feathers and tough parts - owls hunt at night - coons mostly at night and eat the insides (not neatly) - skunks take eggs and entrails and the list goes on. If you can sort of be a predator detective, you can really narrow your thief/killer list down and that will help you build against the attacks. Take a look here http://www.grit.com/animals/predators-of-chickens?pageid=1#PageContent1
There's a pretty good list of styles of killing.
Hope that was an isolated attack.

 

[jllracer55]

I am thinking the one they got tried to get away but she got caught/stuck between the tree and the fence and had no where to go so whatever was after her cornered her and then had dinner.. Really wish I could capture it or them.. and enhance the run/coop.

Generally, dogs play with their food - opossums usually stick to smaller chicks- hawks hunt during the day - cats (even big ones) drag it off somewhere private and eat it or else leave the feathers and tough parts - owls hunt at night - coons mostly at night and eat the insides (not neatly) - skunks take eggs and entrails and the list goes on. If you can sort of be a predator detective, you can really narrow your thief/killer list down and that will help you build against the attacks. Take a look here http://www.grit.com/animals/predators-of-chickens?pageid=1#PageContent1
There's a pretty good list of styles of killing.
Hope that was an isolated attack.[/QUOTE]
Thanks Nardo, I hope it was an isolated attack too but im not taking my measures against said predator lightly.. Got some coon traps today and ill be mocking up new coop/run plans soon to secure the birds better especially at night as I am certain this was a night attack. Based off the evidence on the coop whatever got her was all over or she went all over at the first attack.. either way its disturbing after raising the flock from chicks, appreciate the insights though!