INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Pollitos6]

It can happen pretty fast. I have been an hour after dark getting home to put my birds up. Its a sinking feeling to see a predator run from the coop you're about to close. I had a lot of long days at the hospital before my Mom passed and got home pretty late. Don't beat yourself up. Its a horrible experience, but also a learning one too. I have some neighbors I can call to close my coop if I am running late now.

Thanks and you are right it is a learning experience. I am watching lots of videos about making chicken coop/run predator proof.

 

[Pollitos6]

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.

Please watch that netting . That’s how the predator got inside my run . I had a bird net on the top of the run and whatever clim the chicken fence got on top of netting and it was heavy enough to bring the net down.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Please watch that netting . That’s how the predator got inside my run . I had a bird net on the top of the run and whatever clim the chicken fence got on top of netting and it was heavy enough to bring the net down.

We have an electric wire on my fence. If a predator climbs past that and doesn't get tangled in the netting as it comes down - I guess they deserve a meal.
My birds are locked up at night. I know that predators could attack during the day - but it would be a slim chance.
I know my risks and take the chances. It is the only set up that works for us. Thanks.

 

[Samantha Louise]

Unfortunately needing to regime my flock I have a kennel 8x10 attached to a TSC coop as our main coop. I also have a smaller TSC coop. We have about 10 hens, 2 roosters, and 1 bantam hen. Free to a good home.

 

[Samantha Louise]

I'm located in johnson county

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Unfortunately needing to regime my flock I have a kennel 8x10 attached to a TSC coop as our main coop. I also have a smaller TSC coop. We have about 10 hens, 2 roosters, and 1 bantam hen. Free to a good home.

Hope you find a good home for them. A little far for me, but I bet someone will be interested. Have you posted on craigslist too?

 

[Finnie]

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 ...

I do check on my chickens every day, but this one time I went to a short trip for one night only and that was when my chicken got attacked.

I'm so sorry for your loss. What a terrible sinking feeling. And to have it happen while you are away and then come home to that! You have my sympathy.

 

[wheezy50]

PM sent your way

Unfortunately needing to regime my flock I have a kennel 8x10 attached to a TSC coop as our main coop. I also have a smaller TSC coop. We have about 10 hens, 2 roosters, and 1 bantam hen. Free to a good home.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Trying to upload a few garden pics, and one of my very pregnant heifer cows. My DSL gets so slow at night will have to try in the morning. Going into another heat wave tomorrow, glad we finished mowing today! We do not use chemicals so all lawn trimmings are collected for the critters. Our "lawn" is actually orchard grass and white clover excellent food for my farm. Nest boxes, feed and bedding. We use a riding mower or 4 wheeler and leaf attachment to collect the grass. If there is any left we will compost it!

Some new projects, working towards fencing in the rest of the 5 acres. We have a new subdivision coming in just 1/2 mile north from us total 390+ homes. Just UGH Its going to get terribly busy on the roadway. It was all very hushed and by the time we all found out had already been passed thru the town board. DH and I are already considering a move if vandalism becomes a problem. I am 54 and moving is not appealing at all. If they change our zoning from Agriculture to town, we are going to move southeast. There are 4 cattle farmers within 3 miles including us. 2 are still zoned Ag Pendleton, Ingalls annexed us and the other farm south of us a few years back but didn't change the property classification..Ingalls does not even allow chickens in town let alone livestock.
Makes you realize your home and property really isn't yours, if the local government decides to change rules and not tell you.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Unfortunately needing to regime my flock I have a kennel 8x10 attached to a TSC coop as our main coop. I also have a smaller TSC coop. We have about 10 hens, 2 roosters, and 1 bantam hen. Free to a good home.

Welcome to BYC and our thread! I am so sorry to hear it, hopefully someone can help you.