Disappearing Act

[slippednfell]

We started out with 12 chicks about 10 or 12 weeks ago.

One was out in the open and a snake got her.

So... the next two we lost was from inside a dog crate. One was completely gone and the other had its head bit off.

I spent the next morning using zip ties to attach chicken wire to all the sides, the door, the top and part of the bottom. (The part that would be exposed if the tray was pulled out partway.) This was about 10 days ago and I did a very thorough job. I overlapped in most places and I went through a ton of zip ties.

This morning, we were missing our partridge cochin. There is nothing left at all. What can get a whole chicken out through chicken wire???

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

A very determined raccoon. I would not use chicken wire. Anything can rip right through it. I use hardwire clothe.

 

[cmom]

Do you have a game camera you can put up. Most likely the predator will be back.

 

[slippednfell]

Do you have a game camera you can put up. Most likely the predator will be back.

My husband put one up (hopefully facing the coop, with no obstructions) and we will be checking the camera later, when he gets home.

I am just baffled at how a 10/12 week old chicken got through chicken wire. ??? Was hoping someone might know from experience.

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

My husband put one up (hopefully facing the coop, with no obstructions) and we will be checking the camera later, when he gets home.

I am just baffled at how a 10/12 week old chicken got through chicken wire. ??? Was hoping someone might know from experience.

A raccoon will grab a chicken through the wire and bite it’s head. It will then proceed to scratch and scrape to get whatever it can through the holes.

 

[slippednfell]

A raccoon will grab a chicken through the wire and bite it’s head. It will then proceed to scratch and scrape to get whatever it can through the holes.

Wow... It managed to get everything. The coop is finally finished (today) and they will be going into it tomorrow as the paint on the floor is drying.

I think I will put up some solar motion detecting lights on the coop just for some extra insurance.

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

Wow... It managed to get everything. The coop is finally finished (today) and they will be going into it tomorrow as the paint on the floor is drying.

I think I will put up some solar motion detecting lights on the coop just for some extra insurance.

Those lights do nothing to deter a predator. I would waste your money. Invest in hardwire clothe and replace the chicken wire. Anything a 5 year old can unlock a raccoon can. They are pretty strong and very dexterous.

 

[slippednfell]

Those lights do nothing to deter a predator. I would waste your money. Invest in hardwire clothe and replace the chicken wire. Anything a 5 year old can unlock a raccoon can. They are pretty strong and very dexterous.

Thanks. I was thinking the lights coming on might startle it. I will replace the chicken wire with hardware cloth. Thanks again.

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

Thanks. I was thinking the lights coming on might startle it. I will replace the chicken wire with hardware cloth. Thanks again.

No problem!

 

[cmom]

The predators will get used to them and occasionally set it off. I was curious of the predators that come onto our property especially at night. I bought a couple of cameras after a bit of research. I was amazed that most nights the camera caught a coyote with some exceptions. In the past I have had my share of losses. Several years ago a bobcat killed 14 birds but just left them. It came back a couple of nights later and I caught it. That was pre-camera. I see coyotes almost every night behind these coops.