Good Friday Massacre

[Motormaker]

A week ago Friday at 2am I heard All kinds of bad chicken sounds from the coop area. I grabbed a flashlight and went outside. I saw a young coon near our trash. My flock was missing. I feared for the worst, However the next morning they all came up to feed. Some of them were ruffed up (no blood)but you could tell they had a hard night (tail feathers missing and such). My flock consists of 2 Isa Browns ,1 white rock, 1 barred rock ,and 1 Rhode Island Red. My birds are true free range birds they come and go as they please. I started my flock last spring. I have not had any predator problems before that night. I noticed that the hen house light was out so I replaced it. I mistakenly assumed the light would keep the coons away. I arrived home from work at 12am Good Friday Morning. I checked on my girls and all were fine. However when I awoke at 6am I found feathers of all types and colors all over my yard. Many had blood on them. I never found any of my birds. The kids and I searched the woods on and off all day. No luck. I have some 3 week old chicks inside in the brooder. It wont be long before they go to the hen house. I live in a rural setting on 5 acres. Shooting and or trapping the coon will not be a problem. I did some trapping while I was in school. I know that Coon are semi-territorial. So trapping and shooting are only short term solutions. Once an area is cleared of coon more will move in quickly. How do I keep my chickens safe without putting them on lock down? My thoughts are leaning toward an un-climbable roost. Perhaps something with pvc pipe legs and a 2x2 wood roost? At the time of the attack they were roosting on an "A" frame chicken Tractor which was adjacent to the coop. Any thoughts or opinions are greatly appreciated.

 

[Baymule]

Build Fort Knox. Study the coop section for tips. Use hardware cloth EVERYWHERE. When you have chickens, it's like setting out an all you can eat buffet and all the varmits come a running to the spread. You can't blame them for doing what they do-it is their nature. So you have to secure the coop and make it predator proof. I have hardware cloth on the ground all around the coop to prevent digging in. I am sorry about your flock and hope you have a better time with the new chicks.

 

[bobbi-j]

Quote:
x2 - Someplace for them to roost safely at night is about the only choice you have if you want to protect them. Mine go out to free range right away in the morning, and are shut in the coop at night. You could try a climb-proof roost, but that won't stop a hungry owl. They'll be happy to eat your birds, too.

 

[aprophet]

Quote:

 

[chicknerd]

I would love to be totally free range, but there are just too many predators. We have built Fort Knox. So far, my dogs go crazy every morning as something has usually come by the coop and run. We built a run that gives the chickens about 30 sq ft per bird so it is as close to free range while having the protection they need. I actually live in a suburban rural area and we have every predator including bears. I have seen hawks sitting on the top of the gazebo watching the chickens. We have minks AND fishercats, their nastier relatives. I just found out that bobcats are making a comeback. So now I cant let my cocker spaniel out without supervision.

Sorry but I agree, build Fort Knox at least for the nights.

 

[gryeyes]

I notice this was your first post;

from California!

I echo the above posters regarding Fort Knox security for your coop. My chickens range freely but they return to coops (or my back porch, until I get the new coop finished) at night, safe and secure. So far, anyway. I've been chickening only since late 2009.

 

[foux003]

I know a guy who lets his flock run loose day ad night as you did. When a predator comes by they go into the stall with the horse or the cow and he hasn't lost a bird to a small predator, the BIG RED 18 wheelers out on the main road well that's another story.

foux