Fox? Feeling defeated

[aart]

I want to recover with corrugated plastic.

Corrugated plastic may not be enough.
I'd use 14-16 gauge welded wire as small a mesh as you can afford, but at least 2x3 or 1x2.

 

[chickisoup]

So sorry for your loss I agree that you could yet find some of your babies. If any survived they are frightened and won't come out of hiding on their own. You'd be suprised how well they can conceal themselves.
I agree about going with the hardware cloth. It really is worth the investment.
Keep us posted on your progress and if any chicks reappear.

 

[TalkALittle]

If you can spring for the hardware cloth then do that. If it's too costly, I've had good luck with 2x3 welded wire with a layer of chicken wire over it. Its far easier to come by rolls of those cheaply.

It's hard to tell from you pic but it looks like whatever got in did so by ripping back the chicken wire from the edge. One thing you can do to prevent breaches in security like this is to install a strip of wood over all the edges of your wire fencing. It helps prevent critters from getting a grip and peeling/prying their way in.

 

[jeria]

Sorry, feel for you as recently lost my 4. Have more coming from chickens for backyards this week. FYI Coons can climb slightly textured steel siding up to the roof at least on a house and somehow get over the eave onto the roof. My neighbor and I have watched them do it on both of our houses.

 

[Rob Tof]

Hi,

We lost our whole flock of pullets. We had two Easter Egger (got our very first egg yesterday), a Delaware, Swedish Flower, and a Welsummer. We are first time chicken owners and finally we got an egg then BAM. My 3 year old is so sad. 3 were mangled and 2 vanished. I want to take a couple days to reinforce the top of the run. It's surround by hardware cloth within a chain link fence over a concrete slab but the top of the run was plain chicken wire. I want to recover with corrugated plastic. Any birds for sale or tips would be great

What could get over a 6ft fence enclosure?

I feel defeated and don't think I have it in me to start from scratch.

Judging by the hair I'd say it was a raccoon. Maybe possum.

 

[MillersFarm]

Have you looked a the fur more closely on the fence? Raccoons seem to shed alot especially at this time of year... and by the sound of it you may have a raccoon problem... I'd suggest putting out some traps. Never let this discourage you from raising chickens.. Everyone has gone through this at one point...

 

[bobbieschicks]

So sorry you are going through this. I know a little about losses having just lost five newly purchased chicks over the course of two weeks to a hungry black rat snake. It was climbing up into the coop through an opening in the roof where decay had caused a gap. I found it this morning just outside the run after it had killed two chicks. Knew right away by the bulges in its belly what had happened. Didn't know snakes could climb, now I do. We learn the lessons and try again.

 

[Shawn's_momma]

So far I still haven't found the missing. I really need to secure things before I move forward. Can a raccoon take out a whole flock??

 

[centrarchid]

So far I still haven't found the missing. I really need to secure things before I move forward. Can a raccoon take out a whole flock??

Yes, although not the rule. Most likely if birds confined in a tight location where raccoon is in immediate vicinity of a live bird while processing another.

 

[Folly's place]

YES!!! They will bring family and friends, and return until there's nobody left. Mary