First day with chickens - already lost one!!

[EasternPromise]

So... I've been expecting that there would be attacks. Nightime critters. Airborne swoops. But I would at least expect evidence of a crime.

I brought six hens home today and am getting them acclimatized to their (uncovered) run. Left window open so I could keep an ear out. I came out two hours later to check in, and one is completely missing. No feathers, no blood, no sign of it...

There are hawks and osprey in my area, but the hens have plenty of stuff to hide under and I would have at least expected to hear some commotion. Am I a bad dad??

 

[Anime2lover]

So... I've been expecting that there would be attacks. Nightime critters. Airborne swoops. But I would at least expect evidence of a crime.

I brought six hens home today and am getting them acclimatized to their (uncovered) run. Left window open so I could keep an ear out. I came out two hours later to check in, and one is completely missing. No feathers, no blood, no sign of it...

There are hawks and osprey in my area, but the hens have plenty of stuff to hide under and I would have at least expected to hear some commotion. Am I a bad dad??

At night chickens won't move from their roost because they can't see. Easy pickings for predators. Uncovered pens are open to any predator that can climb or fly, such as raccoons, possums, stray cats, owls, eagles, mountain lions and cougars. Many of which can steal chickens without a trace.

 

[Fluffy Lambs]

Put bird netting over there run and make sure there are no holes around the bottom.

 

[Halfpasthen]

Most of us have to have a predator proof coop to keep chickens at all. If I didn't I'd be out of chickens in a week's time. And I'm in not even in a rural area. Everything likes to eat chicken. And chances are you won't see or hear them coming.

 

[Iluveggers]

How high is it? Can they fly out?

 

[HappyClucker7]

Yeah, definitely cover their run. I would keep the rest in the garage or something until you're finished. Otherwise, you might not have any chickens left by the end of the week.

 

[EasternPromise]

At night chickens won't move from their roost because they can't see. Easy pickings for predators. Uncovered pens are open to any predator that can climb or fly, such as raccoons, possums, stray cats, owls, eagles, mountain lions and cougars. Many of which can steal chickens without a trace.

I have a covered chickshaw but was intending for the chickens to free range in the daytime. I guess I'll have to look into some netting for protection.

 

[EasternPromise]

How high is it? Can they fly out?

3 feet electric fence. I haven't seen a trace of it and have surveyed the property.

 

[Anime2lover]

I have a covered chickshaw but was intending for the chickens to free range in the daytime. I guess I'll have to look into some netting for protection.

That would be a good idea. You can still free range them if you want, but it's safer for them if there's a coop and run for them to go in at night. We free range ourselves but their locked up at night.

 

[HappyClucker7]

3 feet electric fence. I haven't seen a trace of it and have surveyed the property.

That fence needs to be higher. Chickens can fly up two 6 feet in the air.