Big Doggie
Songster
I noticed you have chicken fencing around your run. That stuff is virtually useless against raccoons. They rip it right down. Use 1/2” hardware cloth that is SECURELY fastened to the run frame. I use 3/4” lathe screws and I challenge any full grown man or raccoon to rip it off.We have the same problem. Yesterday I put my 7 week old chicks out in a temporary covered run (We only have them out for part of the day as the new coop hasn’t arrived yet). Two hawks worked in pairs. One scaring the chicks to the other side of the run and the other killing them when they got close enough. We lost 3 birds and have one injured. I chased the hawks off and brought the remaining chicks in. However, they keep coming back. My wife approached the hawks clapping her hands but they just sat there and stared at her. She took the photo then got within 6 feet before I joined in and chased them off. New coop and run arrives today. I’ll assess it when I put it together but considering adding electrification deterrent around the outside.View attachment 2242865View attachment 2242866