Break in... lost one!

[Erin K]

So this morning I cheerfully opened my bedroom window to check on my pretty girls.

And only counted two. Where was my Sweetums?

Then I noticed a TON of feathers.

I raced outside. Something dug under my coop and inside and apparently scared all the feathers off of Sweetums, then dragged her to the back of the yard and ate a goodly portion of her.

We rekon raccoons. Maybe possims. Either way I HATE THEM NOW. I'm so mad. And mad at myself for not keeping my girls safe.

For tonight we moved the coop (it's a little A-frame moveable thing) on the patio and weighted it down a bunch. I hope that works.

The idea of them being all trapped in there with some killer breaks my heart. I mean our chickens are pets, that might incidentally lay eggs some day (they are not laying yet).

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
So sorry you lost your Sweetums, it was a hard lesson learned.

 

[seminolewind]

Sorry for your loss

 

[CrestedGirl]

I'm so sorry

rest in peace Sweetums

 

[silkieroo]

I'm soo sorry!! It's always hard to lose a hen, RIP Sweetums.

 

[Erin K]

I realized I put this in the wrong forum, there is a whole one for predators. Sorry!

Thanks for your support everyone. My husband is all crabby with me like it's my fault. And now "my hobby", which was a family hobby yesterday is causing him undo stress and expense. GRRRRR. I'm just venting, my husband is great, I just wanted a different type of support today.

Anyhow I keep checking on them. I don't know what time it happened. Also they were right under my bedroom window and, as I have a baby, I'm a super light sleeper so I don't know how I missed all the drama.

My kids took it ok. My 5 year old who had claimed her as his own chicken collected a bunch of clean feathers and put them in his journal. I thought that was very mature.

We have never seen a raccoon but now all our neighbors are sharing how our neighborhood is overrun with them! So maybe that's what it was.

I hope the remaining hens are ok and not too stressed. They seemed totally fine.

 

[Erin K]

Here she was in life.

 

[dawg53]

She was a pretty bird. Sorry for your loss.

 

[BrattishTaz]

I'm so sorry you lost your girl.

 

[Pcola Chick]

I'm sorry to hear about this too. Poor chickie... I'm like you and mine are pets (and I love each one of 'em) and I get FIRED UP when something gets one of my babies!!! I'd set a trap and catch that thing!! Look, I'm getting all mad just thinking it! Get 'em!