Don't want to give up but is it best for the chicken?

[meags163]

I am officially the worst chicken owner....I started with 5 and am down to 1 as of this morning. The first hen was killed when they were free ranging so I put them in a coop and run. The second one was killed when I let them out of the run and they roosted in the trees....my mistake (again). the last 3 were going strong in what I thought was a secure coop, but something torn down the poultry netting on the top of the run and killed two of them, feathers in the run and in the rabbit cage that is below the coop (chicks walk down ladder into cage, and then into run). I think its a racoon.

I can get more pullets near by, get an electric fence, and really, really secure the run and coop. Or should I give my last chicken to a better owner and consider this a failed experiment? I really want to have chickens.....

 

[TXmom]

I'm so sorry about your chickens

If you really want chickens and you are willing to take extra precautions...then do it. You can use electric fence to keep at most varmints, or build a stronger run. Chicken wire can be torn apart by raccoons, so use hardware cloth instead...it's much stronger.

 

[Mahonri]

I know the feeling.

Give it a week or too and then get your coop and run VERY SECURE and get some more pullets.

 

[thebroodybunch]

I'm sorry for your loss and I understand the guilt. I think having chickens is one of the best experiences of life. And I think if you want chickens you should try again. I'm not sure about introducing new chicks to your last hen, someone with more experience might be able to help you with that. But I have a run attached to my chicken coop with poultry netting over the top as well. I was worried about predators getting into the run too so we put a door on the opening into the coop that can be shut and locked at night. I lock it every night before I go to bed.

 

[meags163]

I am definitely going to lock it up at night from now on. I am going to get pullets, and not chicks. Is it bad for the last hen to be alone? I know they like to be together.

 

[ChicknJ]

yes, she definitely needs a buddy. they are social creatures and she is probably freaked out seeing her buddies killed. I am so sorry about your loss. Calll around to different hardware stores and see if you can find bulk Hardware cloth. My Lowes only carries it in 10 ft sections for top dollar.
I bought 100 ft and built the whole darn coop out of wood and hardware cloth so this never happens to me again....

Accept my condolences, I can feel your heavy heart.

 

[Kismet]

Don't give up, Meags163! It is so difficult the first time you lose one, and then to lose several in a row does get that defeatist feeling going. But, as someone has already said, owning chickens is really rewarding and on so many levels. Once you get a predator proof pen and run and can sleep well again at night, you'll smile every time you are woken by your cock's crowing. My condolences

, but I send you encouragement as well.

 

[flopshot]

don't quit, harden your containment area. ditch the chicken wire top and go with welded wire. if you have chicken wire anywhere it will be compromised at some point. you have to start looking at things from both sides of the fence. your light gauge wire from the inside does a good job of containing the birds. however, if you started out to build a structure with the sole purpose of keeping out coons, dogs and fox would you have chosen chicken wire ? take some time to get the coop and run in order so you can have your birds and sleep at night as well.

 

[mark3208]

meags,Dont fret,ive lost alot of chickens in my time,and i know one thing for sure. There is no shortage of em.

 

[chicamama]

how about adding an extra bedroom for them. Cable with the works!

Hang in there. You're not the first, by trial and error to have lost chickens. Just figure out the safest housing. I lost some to free ranging after a year of not one problem.