I'm scared

[black_cat]

For the first time in this whole escapade, I'm questioning whether I want to go through with having chickens. It's not the maintenance, or the noise, or the food/water, or the poop, or the smell....it's the fear of losing them. We are currently renting hens (long story) and there was a skunk in our yard tonight. I know this because it sprayed our cat. I am terrified of what I"ll find when I go to let them into the run tomorrow morning. (didn't go out to check for fear of being bitten/sprayed by skunk) Do I really want to introduce another thing into my life that I can't handle losing?

 

[MrFluffyandGirls]

For the first time in this whole escapade, I'm questioning whether I want to go through with having chickens. It's not the maintenance, or the noise, or the food/water, or the poop, or the smell....it's the fear of losing them. We are currently renting hens (long story) and there was a skunk in our yard tonight. I know this because it sprayed our cat. I am terrified of what I"ll find when I go to let them into the run tomorrow morning. (didn't go out to check for fear of being bitten/sprayed by skunk) Do I really want to introduce another thing into my life that I can't handle losing?

You better handle the skunk or make sure your coop is secure or you might be paying a astronomical price for a rented chickens life.

 

[black_cat]

You better handle the skunk or make sure your coop is secure or you might be paying a astronomical price for a rented chickens life.

I'm more afraid of losing the chicken than the price I would have to pay for it's life. The only ways I could make it more secure structurally without breaking the agreement of 'not altering or destroying the coop in any way' I'm looking into a motion activated light for the coop. No idea how to handle skunks. They're not a regular occurence, this is only the second time one's come around since we moved here, and the first time was long before chickens. I'm far more concerned about losing a chicken/my sanity than I am about losing money. I know that predator losses and other losses have to happen eventually- I'm just scared for when that happens.

 

[Sapphire Sebright]

How many chickens are you taking care of? Could you move them into your house for the night?

 

[black_cat]

How many chickens are you taking care of? Could you move them into your house for the night?

Four. Parents don't want chickens in the house, and it's too late at night (12 am ish)

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

I've got a bunch of these:

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LITOM Original Solar Lights Outdoor, 3 Optional Modes

 

[black_cat]

I've got a bunch of these:

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LITOM Original Solar Lights Outdoor, 3 Optional Modes

Amazing idea.

 

[WalnutTree]

I've had the same fears as well, walking out to see that one of my favorite chickens is gone for good.
I have reflective tape blowing in the wind all over the coop and nearby trees for daytime predators, glowing eye balloons for day and night time predators, and pinwheels. Predators don't like shiny\bright and things that might look like predators!
I also highly recommend electric fences if you'll be having\"renting" chickens for a long while.

 

[AngelaY]

Do you have a picture of the coop? They might not even be able to get in. Also, please don't let the fear of losing them or somehow messing up get in the way of building a little flock, while it is devastating to lose a member of said flock, the joy of watching a little flock of fluffy feathery happy little birds running up to meet you when you come outside outweighs that sadness by a million percent

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Unfortunately losing them is part of having them. I've lost more than I want to think about, but I know they had good lives until whatever happened to them. Same as with any other animals