All chickens killed

[Folly's place]

I'm so sorry , it's learning the hard way, as I did many years ago. Birds need 'Fort Knox' to roost in at night. Wire flooring will also be a disaster, needs to be sturdy solid surface, install it right over the wire. I set live traps nearly every night when the chickens get locked in; so far this summer four coons, two possums, and one nice stray cat that has been rehomed. If they want my birds I want them! Coons and possums get buried, never relocated. Mary

 

[Greyfox Farm]

Amen. Three coon and one skunk caught so far this Summer in Duke "DP's"; they will NOT be coming down for breakfast. No birds lost, either.

KayElle, so sorry for your loss. You get so attached to the little knot-heads, you can't help but be heartbroken when they are destroyed by a heartless killer. Have NO sympathy for the predators, they would gladly do it again. Reinforce the coop, regroup, and love the new batch just as much as you loved these. Good luck.

 

[leadwolf1]

Amen. Three coon and one skunk caught so far this Summer in Duke "DP's"; they will NOT be coming down for breakfast. No birds lost, either.

KayElle, so sorry for your loss. You get so attached to the little knot-heads, you can't help but be heartbroken when they are destroyed by a heartless killer. Have NO sympathy for the predators, they would gladly do it again. Reinforce the coop, regroup, and love the new batch just as much as you loved these. Good luck.

Greyfox...I just love your choice of wording here! Great job

 

[KayElle]

Thank you for your kind words and ideas. I should clarify that our coop has a wood floor with wire underneath. And it's off the ground about 4 ft. I'll figure out how to post some pics

 

[Haunted55]

You know what happens atleast this is whats happening here at 7L. I have expanded my flocks & have multiple coops. I now have quail & more roos. The noise these animals create travels a great distance from the coops. Just the other day I was on the other side of my property hunting I was just sitting there listening to my roo's crowing the quail whistling & thought my no wonder all the predators are showing up looking for a free meal. My birds are calling the predators to my coops. Plus, the smell I'm sure. Just do yourself & your animals a favor build your coops super strong & double check it all the time because as time goes on you will find flaws are something that needs fixin & remember a coop is never finished.

7L Farm is so right. I have ducks and geese this year for the first time and they are calling in everythig possible. They are surounded by a 6' x 100' welded wire fence and an electric fence with a 50 mile charger. 3 weeks ago I had three young coyotes charging that fence while it was on. Between the fence knocking them back and me running after them, gun blazing like the Furies, they didn't get the birds but it just shows how desperate they or any predator can be.

Thank you for your kind words and ideas. I should clarify that our coop has a wood floor with wire underneath. And it's off the ground about 4 ft. I'll figure out how to post some pics

I am so sorry that you had to live what is probably the same nightmare all of us have a one time or another. It's bad enough when we lose our babies to sickness, but when it's just senseless killing by an animal too lazy to hunt for itself....Nah, I draw the line there. You can try hanging CD's near the coop so that light will hit them day or night. They do work for the most part. Motion lights will work as well. Electric fencing. Anything you can do to make them pause before they can get to the house. On the house I use a hasp lock with a lynch pin through it.

 

[Nicole01]

I agree about our flocks creating noise and calling the predators. Also, animals have such a keen sense of smell and smell the chickens well.

My neighbors dog was over again today breaking through his fence and looking for my hens in our side woods. Luckily they were in the way back and my dogs alerted there was something in our yard. My two dogs protect our property and us a little too well that I can't leave them outside with the chickens.

 

[marvun22]

this might sound weird but i have cats in my barn and they have extra and the raccoons leave my chickens alone and eat the cat food