HELP EMERGENCY ATTACK

[Stepnout]

I am so sorry and i don't want to be critical but that setup is woefully inadequate to house that many chickens and to protect them. There are lots of ideas for inexpensive coop/run setups in the coop forum. In the meantime hardware cloth is a must NOW. Your predator will be back.

I can’t think of a gentle way to say this. If you plan on keeping those chickens in that bitty cage, “forever more” won’t be very long. If your current predator doesn’t wipe them out, they will likely injure or kill each other when they outgrow that little space. Over crowded chickens can develop some nasty habits. One of those habits is feather picking. That seems harmless enough until it turns into an open wound. An injured chicken has nowhere to escape in that tiny cage, so the others would keep pecking at the wounds until it’s so badly injured it dies. Then they will eat the carcass. Cannibalism in a flock is an ugly thing to deal with.

I don’t know where that cage is located, but if it’s not fastened down, a determined predator will easily knock it over. If you can’t provide a larger, secure coop with an attached run, the kindest thing for you to do for your chickens would be to give them to someone who can.

Well said!

 

[AmyJane725]

There were no injures... Only these leftover organs.
I think securing the cage with hardware cloth might help though... As you see, we have a green fence wrapped along the sides for extra protection, but somehow something got in...

No, we plan to keep the chickens in this cage for forever more... Not my idea.

That green fencing is not offering any extra protection. Those holes are a great size for weasels, rats, mice, raccoon hands, snakes, etc. If you want to actually protect your birds you need 1/2 inch hardware cloth all over.

But as others have said, if that is your permanent chicken home, please give them away to someone who actually has adequate facilities. Keeping them in there as fully grown adults is nothing short of animal cruelty.

 

[Icantraisechickenshelp]

Thanks everyone. I know I shouldn't keep them in a cage like that, but I really don't have a lot of control over it... My parents do, and they raised chickens when they were young, so I have no clue if they forgot how to raise chickens that were alive 30 years ago or not. But thank you, guys, for the tips. I will tell my parents about this and maybe they will improve the quality of our chickens life.

Looks to me that a raccoon could reach in and pull the birds apart piece by piece. I would suggest covering the outside of every square inch with 1/2 inch hardware cloth. You need to attach the hardware cloth with metal hog ring clips anything other than metal the raccoons will break or chew off. You need a tool to close them.
https://www.google.ca/search?q=meta...i#imgdii=9IrHZ4eVlZsg4M:&imgrc=MAI0ilS_kBXBIM:

I can’t think of a gentle way to say this. If you plan on keeping those chickens in that bitty cage, “forever more” won’t be very long. If your current predator doesn’t wipe them out, they will likely injure or kill each other when they outgrow that little space. Over crowded chickens can develop some nasty habits. One of those habits is feather picking. That seems harmless enough until it turns into an open wound. An injured chicken has nowhere to escape in that tiny cage, so the others would keep pecking at the wounds until it’s so badly injured it dies. Then they will eat the carcass. Cannibalism in a flock is an ugly thing to deal with.

I don’t know where that cage is located, but if it’s not fastened down, a determined predator will easily knock it over. If you can’t provide a larger, secure coop with an attached run, the kindest thing for you to do for your chickens would be to give them to someone who can.

 

[hispoptart]

Please do show this thread to your parents, There appears to be 8 chickens in that tiny cage. There is no way they will be safe and happy in that as they grow. As others have said if your parents refuse to get a bigger coop with a secure run, then they should give them away.

 

[DellaMyDarling]

I thought the bird cage was a super cool idea...
For chicks and young small birds with very simple modifications.

Are these bantams?!

That cage, depending where you live, may even be illegal for ONE adult chicken to live in. In my state it would be judging by pic alone. My perception on size may be off, but I'm positive 8 adult chickens literally will not fit. I don't mean by "best health and safety" kind of fit, I mean you literally cannot squish multiple live adults in there.

Dearest OP, I do believe you are correct in saying they have forgotten how to raise chickens.

 

[AmyJane725]

Thanks everyone. I know I shouldn't keep them in a cage like that, but I really don't have a lot of control over it... My parents do, and they raised chickens when they were young, so I have no clue if they forgot how to raise chickens that were alive 30 years ago or not. But thank you, guys, for the tips. I will tell my parents about this and maybe they will improve the quality of our chickens life.

Sorry if we were harsh with you. Everyone here just really loves chickens and it makes us sad to see them in less than ideal conditions.

It’s great that you’re trying to help the chickens, even though you don’t ultimately get to decide if any of the advice is taken or not.

Yeah, I think your parents must have forgotten how to take care of chickens. Hopefully they’re open to changing.

 

[deckman22]

Yup, you have to make a darn near bullet proof home for your chickens. Everything loves to eat chicken and a predator will keep coming back for more if the pickings are easy. I learned that the hard way.