Devastated! Warning Graphical

[Hopperkiller]

It's 16' x 22' then another 12' of 3' wide wire for each end.

Your fence charger and electric wire will stop most predators. It's a very good tool

 

[TxMesteth]

From roof to floor needs to be lined with the hardware cloth including the inside of wood coop walls. Then wire needs to be buried two feet in the ground around the entire run and coop. You can use no climb horse fencing or barb wire for this. This is the only way to make a predator proof enclosure against rats, dogs, snakes, owls, hawks, coyotes, wolves, weasels, foxes, and etc. Every part of the world has multiple of these animals everywhere. You will eventually loose more to one or more of these animals again if you don’t spend the money to do it properly. I know it is hard to hear if your on a budget, but I don’t suggest getting anymore until you get a completely safe coop and run unless you are prepared to loose another flock again. I learned the hard way really fast. Be aware that if you live in an area with Bears, I’ve known people that even had wire buried, hardware cloth, everything done right and still lost their entire flock and had destroyed coops anyways. I’m sorry for your loss.

 

[jspeese]

Sorry I'm rambling on, it too quiet now, my son and I are very distraught. There has been a bird dog reported running loose, that's what I shot at in the goats area. Will they do this to chickens and ducks?

A bird dog could very well be the culprit. The biggest loss I ever had was a neighborhood Chesapeake retriever breaking in to the pen and doing exactly what you show pictures of (only in my specific case quail). And it happened in broad daylight. I "camped out" near the pen for 2-3 days and finally shot the son of a bitch. I caught flack for it (NOT from the dog owner, who although was upset still offered to pay me for the quail, which I turned down, figuring we both lost enough...I didn't know it was his dog at the time, he lived a mile away!). I also put electric fence around the pen after that. Chesapeakes are horrible dogs around poultry; other dog attacks I've had (none as bad as that) have also been Chesapeakes.

 

[jastech]

I have had no issues with the birds getting zapped. their feathers are good insulators. This is my fence charger and if anyone touches the wires they will hurt.
View attachment 2805915

I don't have 120vac at coop. I do have a solar fencer that does 12 miles but battery needs replaced.

 

[jastech]

A mink will kill all just for the pleasure or to drink their blood.

No minks or weasels out here

 

[jastech]

Our Kangal put an immediate halt to the near daily coyote raids on our flock. Truly a special breed: loving family member & 100% focused on predator control/livestock security. I would like to recommend you consult my friend Mary Hughes at Hands Helping Paws, Kangal Rescue.
www.HandsHelpingPawsRescue.org - You may need to bring in a young Kangal to step in where your old guy is slowing down. Tell her Catherine Hall feels your pain and recommended you get in touch. (I have my Kangal because a Turkish, Kangal breeding friend drove up one day as I stood there dripping in blood, holding a dozen mangled chicken carcasses. His exact words were, “Our Kangal is pregnant. First one out is yours.”)

Thank you for the contact information, an email has been sent.

 

[jastech]

My son and I just finished upgrading the tarp from Wal-Fart to a proper Heavy duty tarp from tractor supply. We inspected the coop/run and located a small area that needs hog rings, too small for dog to get in but will fix anyways. Should I post tools used?

 

[Cluckminster Fuller]

The wire is far too open. Almost any predator could get through that. I'd cover it with screen. Try to make it go into the ground a way to keep digging animals out. Snakes can eat eggs, too. But the first pics looked to me like what raccoons do. They get in, kill, but cannot drag the carcasses out. If you ever can get some money, there are devices that send an audio signal that repels critters. It as different setting for different critters. We used the Raccoon setting and it helped a lot. But it also helps if you have your own dog to chase off predators, pee and poop in the area, bark, etc. My audio device is made by GoodLife and was recommended on this site a while back by someone. Mine needs electricity, but a drop cord would probably work. Maybe they have battery ones? The sound for deer (I used one to protect my plants, too) is scary loud, but for raccoons it's a high pitch that people and chickens barely hear.
It took a while for my surviving chickens to lay again. They were very traumatized. New ones did fine.
Cover that coop with screen and bury it some and I think it will help a lot.
Best wishes and luck.

 

[jastech]

A friend of mine last night has been kept abreast of what's going on and is a animal lover too. She suggested a Go Fund Me to get cameras and fence needed since I'm on disability. So my son started it! (Makes my chin quiver)

 

[jastech]

The wire is far too open. Almost any predator could get through that. I'd cover it with screen. Try to make it go into the ground a way to keep digging animals out. Snakes can eat eggs, too. But the first pics looked to me like what raccoons do. They get in, kill, but cannot drag the carcasses out. If you ever can get some money, there are devices that send an audio signal that repels critters. It as different setting for different critters. We used the Raccoon setting and it helped a lot. But it also helps if you have your own dog to chase off predators, pee and poop in the area, bark, etc. My audio device is made by GoodLife and was recommended on this site a while back by someone. Mine needs electricity, but a drop cord would probably work. Maybe they have battery ones? The sound for deer (I used one to protect my plants, too) is scary loud, but for raccoons it's a high pitch that people and chickens barely hear.
It took a while for my surviving chickens to lay again. They were very traumatized. New ones did fine.
Cover that coop with screen and bury it some and I think it will help a lot.
Best wishes and luck.

Its covered with chicken wire. When I have the money I'll buy hail screen/hardware cloth.