Chicken massacre last night. Five dead, two injured.

[jnicholes]

Don't you have a secure door to the coop? You'll need something they can't easily chew through instread of particle board. Get some plywood and hinges with a couple of latch locks you can place on either side since they can figure out simple doors.

Do you mean the door the chickens use to get into the coop?

We have a door, I was just unable to install it because of all the snow. Now that the snow is melted, I can get that door in. It’s a solar powered door.

 

[AGeese]

Do you mean the door the chickens use to get into the coop?

We have a door, I was just unable to install it because of all the snow. Now that the snow is melted, I can get that door in. It’s a solar powered door.

Ok you might consider if the door is exposed to weather it could freeze. So if it's going in the same spot maybe place a barrier to the elements near it.

 

[AGeese]

Another thing is get extra hardware cloth to tac down around the perimeter of the coop so there's no digging under.

 

[Squawkers]

I am so sorry it’s the chicken keepers nightmare. I can’t even imagine how that must feel to walk out and see that.

 

[AGeese]

As for dispatching, in the state they're in doesn't sound like it will be much struggle. Do you have a hatchet?

 

[jnicholes]

As for dispatching, in the state they're in doesn't sound like it will be much struggle. Do you have a hatchet?

I have a hatchet and a double bit ax I use for wood chopping. It’s gonna be difficult for me to use it on the chickens, though. I raised them from chicks.

 

[AGeese]

I have a hatchet and a double bit ax I use for wood chopping. It’s gonna be difficult for me to use it on the chickens, though. I raised them from chicks.

I'm sure it will be, just consider that ultimately you're doing it out of compassion for them.

 

[GodLovesU]

I would post about them in the emergency forum first,just to make sure that they’re not hopeless.If you do please post the link here.

 

[jnicholes]

I would post about them in the emergency forum first,just to make sure that they’re not hopeless.If you do please post the link here.

I will, thank you very much.

We just got the hardware cloth. We are going to get some other supplies and then we’ll be on the way back to repair the run.

 

[Eggcessive]

I’m very sorry for the predator attack and deaths. You can try to nurse the 2 injured chickens for a few days, in case they can recover, but sometimes putting them down can be the kindest thing if they are in pain. Hardware cloth 1/2 inch is what I use to reinforce the chicken wire at least 3 feet high. Making an apron on the outside of the run that extends out from the run can keep predators out. Raccoons can reach through chicken wire with hands, and weasels can pass through a 1 inch opening. If you can keep your chickens inside a basement or safe place tonight while you try to use a game cam to see what come around the next couple of nights, that would be good. You can use the bodies as bait. Here is a video of a hardware cloth apron around the run:

https://www.youtube.com/