Devastated- predator attack

[Pbccmom]

I am so sad this morning. I had my coop protected from predators but I think a raccoon was able to unlock the hatch and I woke up this morning. My young RI Red rooster Red was gone, my buff Orpington had a bite in half her body. Only my Australorp was ok. I guess my rooster did try to protect the girls but I am devastated by the loss. Will this predator return? I am terrified now. It’s been 5 months and my babies were happy and no issues and today was a very sad day. Any advice please .

 

[nuthatched]

So sorry about that.
Yes, it will return. If it's a slide latch, they can definitely get it open.

 

[SilverBirds]

So sorry for your losses.

 

[Callender Girl]

I am so sorry; I know what it's like to have a predator -- in my case, a mink that killed three of four hens in a coop -- massacre your chickens.

I'm guessing that your Buff Orp was fatally bitten? I wasn't sure when I re-read your post, but it didn't sound good.

First off, a predator will ALWAYS return to the site of an easy meal or kill. Beef up security at your coop. Following the attack, I upgraded to hardware cloth EVERYWHERE and all of my coops now have security hooks and/or multiple latches.

Second, your surviving Australorp, even if she has no physical injuries, is likely to be traumatized for a long time. My surviving hen was spooked for weeks. I had the luxury of having other coops and other hens; I let her choose her own new home and coop mates. She eventually settled down and had a good quality of life for the remainder of her years.

Third, it's easy to blame yourself. But you didn't intentionally expose your beloved girls to danger.

I'm willing to bet that EVERYONE who has chickens has at some time -- or will in the future -- lose birds to predators, disease, weather-related issues, etc. It's impossible to protect them every minute of ever day. Now is the time to figure out how to reduce the likelihood of another attack.

Although I was unsuccessful in trapping the mink, I did set a live trap for several nights and slept on the sofa with the window open (in the middle of a frigid winter) so I would hear any problem in the coops. It was a Very Long Time before I was more comfortable about my birds' safety.

Take care of yourself.

 

[McChooky]

I recommend not keeping her in the coop for a couple days.
Keep her inside a dog crate indoors if possible at night for a few days and monitor her closely to make sure she's eating (low light low noise atmosphere)Change the latch to a hasp and secure it with a carabiner. I recommend getting her some friends soon too.Chickens are social animals and need friends.Sorry for your loss!

 

[Pbccmom]

Thank you everyone. My home has an enclosure for what used to be a dog crate from previous owner. Concrete floor and fencing surrounding. I was thinking of placing the coop there. The ceiling is open so I need to replace with metal mess. I am concerned about her she is all alone now. They were used to foraging all day in the open. Just terrified now.

 

[Folly's place]

I'm so sorry for your birds, it's awful.
Most of us have started with chickens and learned the very hard way that they weren't protected well enough. Your raccoon and family will be back, maybe during daylight today, so get your survivors in a safer place right away!
Pictures of your coop and run will help here, there may be more issues than that inadequate latch.
Concrete is great, so start there for sure. Pictures! And friends for your poor survivor.
Mary

 

[Pbccmom]

Put the coop in the kennel reinforces the bases of the chain link fence and I will put a metal mesh in the ceiling it’s tarp only now.

 

[Callender Girl]

How's your girl doing?

 

[Pbccmom]

She seems still very uneasy. I got two companions 1 month younger than her. She is fine but still not fully integrated. Last night she didn't want to sleep on coop and we had her ina crate in the garage and the other two in the nre reinforced coop.