Help me figure out who MURDERED our flock!!!

[FarmTillURdead]

LOL! Gnomes are fond of omlettes!

 

[isaac isley]

Thank you for all of the advice. We will be working on our Fort Knox plans. I just feel bad having them all 'cooped' up...you know. I feel like they need some daylight. So would you put them in that super secure coop at night and let them free range supervised during the day??

 

[Bullitt]

A dog is a good predator deterrent. In the case of a bear, the dog will bark and let you know that something is happening. A German Shepherd is a good choice, but your puppy won't be up to the job for a while.

I would suggest finding a large grown dog, and you can train the dog not to attack the chickens.

You can let the chicken free range when you are nearby. I would keep a gun handy if there is a black bear roaming around.

When will you get your German Shepherd puppy? Maybe you can post a picture.

 

[the4heathernsmom]

We have everything here and have been where you are at. We have converted our barn into the chicken area. I dug down and 'planted" tin around the whole thing.....wired to the ceiling.....nailed to the ceiling.....have buried wire with landscape timbers buried on top of it and my bottom runner boards on top of that on the outsides of the pen. Every possible hole tear rip in tin has been covered and patched. Double latches on all doors on top and bottom...learned that lesson the hard way. AND we are in process of building a fully enclosed run....tin along bottom with buried wire underneath to lay on both sides of run inside and out. solid running boards for top and bottom.....wire attached to every possible board yes going WAY overboard it seems but we shall see!!! Rocks along all bottom boards as I tote them up here. Owl decoy on top of run and yes mine will be shut up in the coop every night even with a totally enclosed run!!!! I have a few roos free ranging right now but only when I am home......just thought I would share about our "cheap" version of ft knox.

 

[isaac isley]

Thanks all of you!

We pick up the puppy on the 22nd...and he will only be 6 weeks old. I know there are a lot of stray dogs in the neighborhood...so there is no telling what the heck is going on.
Would you mind postings pics of your fort knox??

We have everything here and have been where you are at. We have converted our barn into the chicken area. I dug down and 'planted" tin around the whole thing.....wired to the ceiling.....nailed to the ceiling.....have buried wire with landscape timbers buried on top of it and my bottom runner boards on top of that on the outsides of the pen. Every possible hole tear rip in tin has been covered and patched. Double latches on all doors on top and bottom...learned that lesson the hard way. AND we are in process of building a fully enclosed run....tin along bottom with buried wire underneath to lay on both sides of run inside and out. solid running boards for top and bottom.....wire attached to every possible board yes going WAY overboard it seems but we shall see!!! Rocks along all bottom boards as I tote them up here. Owl decoy on top of run and yes mine will be shut up in the coop every night even with a totally enclosed run!!!! I have a few roos free ranging right now but only when I am home......just thought I would share about our "cheap" version of ft knox.

Thanks all of you!

We pick up the puppy on the 22nd...and he will only be 6 weeks old. I know there are a lot of stray dogs in the neighborhood...so there is no telling what the heck is going on.

 

[cafarmgirl]

I suspect racoon in this situation. If you also have bears where you live then I would strongly suggest using hot wire to keep them as well as coons off of and away from your coop/run. It is highly effective against anything trying to get in and discourages repeat attacks. You can mount the hot wire on it's holders off the side of your coop/run or you can use several strands on it's own fence of T's posts surrounding your coop if you have bear issues. We've used hot wire for many, many years and have yet to have a critter get into our coop or run. We also do not use any form of chicken wire. Only welded wire and chain link.

Edited to add:

I wanted to mention your new pup as well. German Shepherd's are a breed that often has a very high prey drive. Plan on spending a lot, lot, lot of time training! Never allow the pup to be alone with the chickens, you don't want your pup to learn that chasing and killing your chickens is fun! Mentally this dog will be a pup for 2+ years. Train, train, train and then tomorrow train some more! I'd rather see your pup coming to you 8 weeks old or older, 6 weeks is awfully young. Pup's learn a lot from their mother at this age and bite inhibition is a big one.

 

[isaac isley]

I suspect racoon in this situation. If you also have bears where you live then I would strongly suggest using hot wire to keep them as well as coons off of and away from your coop/run. It is highly effective against anything trying to get in and discourages repeat attacks. You can mount the hot wire on it's holders off the side of your coop/run or you can use several strands on it's own fence of T's posts surrounding your coop if you have bear issues. We've used hot wire for many, many years and have yet to have a critter get into our coop or run. We also do not use any form of chicken wire. Only welded wire and chain link.

Edited to add:

I wanted to mention your new pup as well. German Shepherd's are a breed that often has a very high prey drive. Plan on spending a lot, lot, lot of time training! Never allow the pup to be alone with the chickens, you don't want your pup to learn that chasing and killing your chickens is fun! Mentally this dog will be a pup for 2+ years. Train, train, train and then tomorrow train some more! I'd rather see your pup coming to you 8 weeks old or older, 6 weeks is awfully young. Pup's learn a lot from their mother at this age and bite inhibition is a big one.

Thank you! I will varify the age on the pup too. I will also look into the hot wire.

 

[the4heathernsmom]

yes i actually have a video of the coop on here....not sure how to post the link to it but it is under the title "Hubby gave me the whole barn"et me see if I can go copy and paste the link brb

 

[the4heathernsmom]

ok the thread is under "Need ideas, UPDATED with video" but here is the link to the little video ="

 

[nurse_turtle]

My first guess on predator is a dog! I think a bear would eat at least some of those chickens in the A-frame. Large or determined dogs can claw right through chicken wire.