I lost them all... All 18

[newchicksnducks]

First, I'm so sorry for your loss...

Buy some screening from a hardware store (even Lowes, Home Depot, etc) that you use to repair window screens. Take scrap lumber (I used strips of OSB board cut into 2" strips) and fasten them together to make a "window frame" slightly bigger than your brooder. Staple the screening to the frame. I used this on top of my rubbermaid brooder. You can place a brick, wood, etc on top to weight it down. This will keep smaller animals out of your brooder, but not a determined predator....hope this helps.

 

[Celtic Hill]

Thanks guy, first thing my mom and i talked about was building a screen to go over it. Its crazy cuz everything is intact nothing moved or anything, they just poofed. I dbout anyone stole them because i have two gaurd dogs.



Tonight im setting 12 D'uccle eggs, And there is a show the 18th of the month im going to a show and talk to breeders and possibly buy a pair or trio of D'uccles.

But still...i lost my polish, Alice my buff was going to be my showmanship bird.

 

[Mom 2em All]

Im so sorry

Last year my brother in law lost 36 chicks the same way- they were also kept in a huge water trough and he had a mesh lid on weighed down with a brick. The next night he watched and waited and a family of raccoons came back looking for more.

I would suggest finding a way to use straps to hold your lid on when you get more chicks. Perhaps the straps will keep them out.

 

[shay20]

oh wow so sorry,

 

[Backyard Hencam]

That is a chicken owner's worst nightmare. I'm so sorry!

 

[DustinLach]

im sorry for your loss, i would be on the look out tonight and see if whatever it was comes back and chances are it will looking for more food.
i know that i read a lot about predator break in and it makes me and my wife really nervous about this hobby, i hope i dont have to find out what it feels like.
i hope you catch the predator that did this and hopefully future flocks will be safe.

 

[herefordlovinglady]

so sorry. very sad.

 

[bantylover]

So, so sorry . . .

 

[chickencoop13]

darn

 

[sgtmom52]

Quote:
If it was a predator that got them window screening won't keep them out. You need something stronger ~ like hardware cloth in a wooden frame. make sure that it is not easy to move or slide off either.

Sorry about your babies ~