All our babies... gone.

[Breezy_Living]

Last night we lost all 8 of our 3 month old chicks to a predator. We are using a makeshift bunny hutch that is our coop and a predator (probably a raccoon or possum) jumped the fence into the run and dug underneath the fenced off part of the hutch and killed all of the babies. We found 2 dead this morning and the others are long gone.

I've lost a couple hens lately, but never the babies and never in this large amount. The other night I heard a commotion and took the dog out to see and that's when the last hen went missing. But there were so many babies, and I dont know where to keep more babies or the one last hen/rooster at night to keep them safe.

This just sucks.

 

[jtbrown]

First, I am so sorry for your loss. I know with digging predators there are several possible culprits. I experienced my first loss this week, however mine were hit en masse while free ranging. I am having trouble picturing your set up, possible picture of set up may help. Or, consider buried wire or just wire on floor to prevent digging are a couple of possibilities, probably all things you are already aware of, but again, so sorry this happened to your babies.

 

[centrarchid]

Can you have dog sleep outside with chickens?

 

[California_chickie]

That is so awful. I am sorry to hear that. Possums and raccoons are crafty, but there are a few things you could do. Hot wire, motion detector light, the predator light (that looks like red eyes) or leaving your dog outside.
If it is a rabbit hutch, that is just too tempting when placed outside. Since I don't know what your set up looks like, I could be wrong but we have a rabbit hutch (aka "the penthouse") that I use for my babies in between brooder & outside time, and it is just too flimsy to stay outside full time. We have to keep in the garage at night.
Hope this helps, but I am probably just stating the obvious.
Have a wonderful weekend and I'll be sending you good chicken vibes!