First Loss

[teriz1091]

We lost our first hen last night. We live in the country with a flock of 7. 3 are 2yr old hens, our original trio, & we also have a trio of 3 month old hens & one young rooster.

My pen set up is a chain link dog run with 2 small coops. We lock the pen at night, but not the coops. The chickens have recently been flopping who sleeps where, adjusting to a new heirarchy as the rooster matures. So I didn’t think much of it when he and one other hen were out in the pen when I locked them up & fed the dog next door to them last night. I usually count everyone, but got in a rush & forgot.

This was my fatal mistake, as now I see that the rooster was out of bed because one of his girls was missing. Somehow she wasn’t in bed when I locked up, & a coyote killed & ate her right next to the house. She was a beautiful hen, I’m sad I won’t get to watch her grow.

The chickens free range daily. Should I keep them locked up in their pen today? Our other dog will be out in the pen next to their coop while we are at work, & he is vigilant about keeping coyotes away, but will be penned up, not loose, so won’t be able to protect the hens if one does come back for seconds, aside from barking at it.

 

[SueT]

Yes keep them locked up, the coyote will be back. I used to free range, but after a coyote attacked twice, locked them up. I waited until it was twice......
I would also lock the coops at night, chain link can be breached by smaller predators who stretch it and squeeze thru..
Good luck!

 

[N F C]

So sorry for your loss, that's always tough.

I agree with @SueT I would keep the chickens secure too. Once a predator finds an easy meal, chances are good it will be back.

Free ranging has it's benefits, but losing them to predators is the downside. That's not to say it can't happen while they're in their coop/run too, it's just that the birds are more available to anything that wants them when they are roaming around unconfined.

Best wishes to you and hope you don't have that problem again.

 

[Trish1974]

So sorry for your loss. Like the other two said, lock them up because your coyote will be back (and who knows what other predators).

 

[Michael Propst]

So sorry for you loss. I remember losing my first, it is something that never gets easier. I would agree with the others one keeping them secured. You may also consider adding some additional re-enforcement fencing to your run and possibly a predator apron around it. I know how much mine look forward to getting out and running around the yard and there is know way I could keep them penned up forever. I would look into finding a way to remove that predator by trapping or shooting it. I you may also look into some electric fencing to keep the away. Again so sorry for your loss.

 

[teriz1091]

So my husband asked, what is the possibility of something other than a coyote killing it?

I did not count the chickens last night, so I can’t say whether or not she got locked out or not. He asked about whether it’s possible that our barn cats killed her in the pen & carried her over the fence & ate her. The cats have never bothered the chickens in the least, & have been around them since they were kittens. The cats do climb into the chicken pen.

Graphic part...
The hen’s head & neck were missing, & her chest cavity was basically cleaned out. There really weren’t many feathers around her, & she was otherwise intact. What type of predator might do that? Her body was also right next to the house.

I think to be safe, we are going to put chicken wire over the pen, & reinforce the bottom of the pen.

 

[SueT]

what is the possibility of something other than a coyote killing it?

I think a coyote would have carried it off and left nothing but a few feathers at the site of capture. There are owls, raccoons, weasels.....any of these could be the culprit....

 

[Chickassan]

That is classic raccoon, I'm sorry about your hen but definitely reinforce your coop and run and put out a trap for your uninvited dinner guest.

So my husband asked, what is the possibility of something other than a coyote killing it?

I did not count the chickens last night, so I can’t say whether or not she got locked out or not. He asked about whether it’s possible that our barn cats killed her in the pen & carried her over the fence & ate her. The cats have never bothered the chickens in the least, & have been around them since they were kittens. The cats do climb into the chicken pen.

Graphic part...
The hen’s head & neck were missing, & her chest cavity was basically cleaned out. There really weren’t many feathers around her, & she was otherwise intact. What type of predator might do that? Her body was also right next to the house.

I think to be safe, we are going to put chicken wire over the pen, & reinforce the bottom of the pen.

 

[Michael Propst]

I think to be safe, we are going to put chicken wire over the pen, & reinforce the bottom of the pen.

I wanted more protection lower down as well so I just went up 36" with 1/2" hardware cloth. You may also consider installing a predator apron. I went overkill with mine a made a 2 layer apron first layer being 24" out with 1/2" hardware cloth it a top layer of PVC Coated Welded Wire Fence. I will attach some pics of what I did for the predator barrier.

 

[rebrascora]

Do you have aerial predators in your area? I believe hawks and the like go for head and chest too.