INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[JanetMarie]

I used to like raccoons, not anymore . I definitely have to reinforce my chicken run and make it predator proof. I read about raccoons repellent and some devices that make sounds when predators approach the coop. What have you done different on your coop to make it predator proof?

We have electric fencing around about two acres that deters raccoons and totally keeps out foxes. Raccoons still do get in at night occasionally, and very seldom, but the chickens are safely in their houses.

The best and most predator proof coop is a shed converted into a house for the chickens, not one of those super cheap chicken houses from TSC and other farm stores that only last for a year.

 

[JanetMarie]

Thanks. The feeling was horrible. I saw them Saturday morning and next time I went to check on them was today and my 9 chickens were dead . I think it might be more than one predator because I don’t think a single animal can eat 9 chickens in one day , can they ?

You don't check on them every day?

 

[JanetMarie]

When we introduced ours we let them see eachother through a gate and gave the cat who had been there free run while the other had only the room. A week or so of this and with many places to hide/escape eachother, ours have seemed to like eachother. though like humans, they dont always get along.

Thanks for the reply. I'll keep the kitten either with me, or in a closed room when that's not possible, and supervised time with our current cat.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Today was a very sad day . I went to check on my chickens and they were all gone , lots of feathers in the run and what ever killed them left two dead chickens ( Lola and cheddar ) I couldn’t even talk I was on shock, my whole flock was gone. Since I am new with chickens I read a lot about them and though I had my chicken coop predator proof but obviously I didn’t and I paid the price . I feel so bad that my hens got killed because I wasn’t careful enough . I believe it was a racoon , I’m not sure,
But the predator got inside the run from the top . I had a net and that was not enough from keeping this predator off my coop. I also had three young chicks inside a metal run 3X7 and they were all gone too . I can’t explain how the predator got those three chicks because the door latch was closed and I didn’t see any holes but the only thing left was fearhers. I only have one hen left, and that’s because i thought he was a rooster and I keep her in a different location. I just can’t believe my chickens are gone ...

Sorry to hear about your losses.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Got some adorable pictures of the Muscovy family today. Haven't been able to upload them yet, ugh. Keep getting error messages, and hate doing it from my phone.

Can't wait to see them!

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I used to like raccoons, not anymore . I definitely have to reinforce my chicken run and make it predator proof. I read about raccoons repellent and some devices that make sounds when predators approach the coop. What have you done different on your coop to make it predator proof?

I added an electric wire to the bottom sections of my run. Although, my set up is not fort knox, I haven't had any issues yet.
Still new to poultry though. So, there is always that chance. A weasel could definitely get in, but not at night. My coops should be pretty fortified. I am using aviary netting over the run and I know if anything got up there, it would be heavy enough to bring the netting down. Hopefully, it never happens during the day.
But, with that said, we can only do so much. I read about those that have minimum security with never having a loss and then there are those at maximum security and can't figure out how a predator got in.
I think it is a gamble either way when raising poultry.

 

[Pollitos6]

We have electric fencing around about two acres that deters raccoons and totally keeps out foxes. Raccoons still do get in at night occasionally, and very seldom, but the chickens are safely in their houses.

The best and most predator proof coop is a shed converted into a house for the chickens, not one of those super cheap chicken houses from TSC and other farm stores that only last for a year.

OMG so even with electric fence the raccoons can still get in? My husband built the chicken coop and it’s sturdy. The predator got in from the top of the run. My chicken run is 5’ tall but on the top I only had a bird net ( I didn’t know the raccoons could climb through the chicken wire

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

OMG so even with electric fence the raccoons can still get in? My husband built the chicken coop and it’s sturdy. The predator got in from the top of the run. My chicken run is 5’ tall but on the top I only had a bird net ( I didn’t know the raccoons could climb through the chicken wire

Was the predator able to get into the coop with them locked in at night?

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Finally got 1 picture to upload!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Thanks. The feeling was horrible. I saw them Saturday morning and next time I went to check on them was today and my 9 chickens were dead . I think it might be more than one predator because I don’t think a single animal can eat 9 chickens in one day , can they ?

If the predator has babies, it would easily wipe out a flock. The possum, skunk and raccoon all have "teenager" babies this time of year and have been taught well. They are traveling with the mother so they make quick work of a flock.