close call

[smarsh]

i haven't lost a chicken to a predator in my 3 years of urban ranching. I do have plenty of predators around, but have been delegent about locking them up and having a secure run. Sometimes I allow them to run about in the last minutes of daylight. Last night, the old hens locked up, I went back in the house awhile since the pullets were still in my wife's flowers and not ready to go in. Just after dark I went to lock the house and a racoon came running out from the house. It wasn't a full grown one and appeared to be eating feed. I don't know if it was unaware of the chickens just above its head, but they were certainly aware of it.

 

[Mattemma]

Glad it just got feed!

With this high heat and humidity I wait till after 9pm to lock mine up in their sardine can.Poor guys. I am waiting now to let them out. I wish we were out in the country,because they would be out at 5am!

I was sad to read on other threads that coons ans possums comew out during the day. I caught a baby possum by my chickens in the early night.

 

[smarsh]

my coop for the young ones has plenty of ventilation and my old hens are under a good shade tree, but they are still pretty hot.

 

[effie]

I had exactly the same thing happen last night-went to put them up and he came running out-never had problems before--one was missing and I found her about 45 minutes later way down in the pasture all hunkered down-carried her back to the coop and she was missing her tail feathers--just went and got our live trap----IT'S ON TONIGHT!!!!!! My first close call and I hated it!!! glad yours went unharmed too....