gruesome, devastating find this morning

[lumpy14]

we lost 4 chickens to a raccoon. we miss them very much. we reinforced double layers of chicken wire in our 17 ft by 15 ft pen. we inspect the pen twice a day to ensure we lose no more of our babies. we had 15 chickens before the loss. now we have 19 chickens. we have rhode islands , americana ,black barred, easter eggers, comets. which brings up another topic. mixing new chickens into a already established pen. its hard , takes about three weeks of close observation and separate feedings. slowly the chickens create their new pecking order.

Everybody inspect those pens everyday. Keep those chickens safe!

 

[lumpy14]

 

[lumpy14]

more of our babies!

 

[lumpy14]

our polish chicken alice!!!

 

[lumpy14]

This is our first time having chickens and we are very pleased with them. they are a lot of fun and are members of our family.

 

[junebuggena]

we lost 4 chickens to a raccoon. we miss them very much. we reinforced double layers of chicken wire in our 17 ft by 15 ft pen. we inspect the pen twice a day to ensure we lose no more of our babies. we had 15 chickens before the loss. now we have 19 chickens. we have rhode islands , americana ,black barred, easter eggers, comets. which brings up another topic. mixing new chickens into a already established pen. its hard , takes about three weeks of close observation and separate feedings. slowly the chickens create their new pecking order.

Everybody inspect those pens everyday. Keep those chickens safe!

Raccoons can shred chicken wire. It will not protect your chickens. 1/2 inch hardware cloth will.

 

[kacappi]

We ended up losing two chickens all together but the coop and run are much more protected and im locking the chickens in the coop at night without access to the run. Feel much better and for now predator free

 

[Calima]

Yaaaah! I'm sure it's like Fort Knox now! Awesome Kacappi!

 

[Weehopper]

Yup, that's a coon, and yes they will come back. You can leave the dead bird there and hide out with your 22, and see if it comes back. Mama coons are out teaching their babies bad habits right now. Coons and owls are bad for coming back over and over until there is nothing left for them to eat. not a lot you can do about owls or hawks as they are protected (other than putting your birds under wire), but coons can be delt with.

 

[txmomof2girls]

Thanks for the tips. Our next door neighbor had a predator attack and kill 3 of their chickens, so they warned us, since we're outside everyday preparing the coop and pen for our girls. We hope to move them outside this week.