Bear?

[cthompson]

Good morning!
So, we had a small backyard flock of 3 chickens, 2 bantams and 1 standard size. we've had them for over 2 years without issue. This morning we woke up with a huge hole in our side fence and the door of our coop ripped open, plus 2 of our chickens sprayed across the yard. Terrible Terrible. I feel so badly we didn't hear anything, but the only thing we can assume was that a bear got our ladies.
I have a few questions, first off will the animal come back? I worry about our one sole Bantam, and I am trying to think of how to keep her safe. Do I bring her inside at night and keep her in the garage? Should we rebuild the coop and hope she's safe?
The other question is getting more chickens. I feel terrible she's alone now, but I worry about integrating her with other ladies. Should I try and find similar aged bantams to add in with her? Younger standard? Younger bantams? I am in no words an expert on anything chickens, so any help is greatly appreciated.
Thank you.

 

[Stiggy]

supervising her until a new run is built it most likely the best idea. when it comes to chicken pens they need to be built like fort knox. and yes the bear will come back, now it knows where theres a free and easy meal. the house needs to be completely secure as well. keeping her inside in a dog crate or something like it is a good idea, a dog crate in the laundry/ bath room works quite well. when building you will need to use wire mesh that's 1/2 inch squares any bigger and other predators will get through. also chain link on top of wire mesh can be a wonderful thing. getting more once you've sorted out the problem, buying young pullets is prob a good idea, or younger standards still, so that they don't over size and bully your banty. Sorry about your other birds

 

[subhanalah]

Why do you think it was a bear? I doubt it was a bear? Do you have pictures of the coop? Sounds like dogs maybe?

 

[cthompson]

We assumed a bear because the door to the coop was ripped off. Plus about 4 panels from our side fence. The coop was raised so we just assumed.
Any other ideas? We just guessed because of the destruction.
Thank you for the advice as well. We put her in a dog crate inside for tonight and we are going to keep an eye out.

 

[subhanalah]

I guess it depends on what the panels are made of. I've had dogs tear apart a couch to get to some papers inside it. Or they destroyed the couch and the papers were just there inside it so got eaten as well.

Is it 'squatchy out there?

 

[thomasboyle]

Good luck building a bear proof coop. They can get into your house if they want. I have bears on a regular basis, and I use electric net fencing. Once they get their nose tickled by 8000 volts, they won't be going in for a second time! Electric fence is the only thing I have found to work against them. A neighbor had a bear rip off 1/2" plywood to get into the feed inside a coop. If a bear has enough time, they can get into anything.

 

[subhanalah]

I hear they eat refrigerators for breakfast.

 

[thomasboyle]

Look what happens when you leave your lunch in the car while camping!

 

[subhanalah]

That sardine can never stood a chance