Just when you think you’re safe...

[Monkeysmom5018]

You seriously need redo your coop You need 1/4 gage hard cloth wire. Chain link is too big and racoons and other predators rip chicken wire likes tissue paper.

The only part of the run that’s chain link is the gate and that’s now covered in hardware cloth.

 

[Folly's place]

Money spent equals peace of mind and live happy birds. And predator protection issues never really go away...
Mary

 

[ValerieJ]

Money spent equals peace of mind and live happy birds. And predator protection issues never really go away...
Mary

We certainly will spend a lot for peace of mind!

 

[Folly's place]

We spent $$ here, and it was worth it! Once upon a time, long ago, we were 'do it yourselfers', but that time has passed, so now we hire it done instead.
Finding materials and recycling helps a lot! The Habitat Restore, for example, and craigs list. Rebuilding costs more, and replacing chickens who are killed by predators in not fun.
Mary

 

[Granitestater]

You’re not. We’ve had chickens for almost 3 years and have lost a couple to hawks here And there unfortunately. We thought our coop and run were like Fort Knox until early this Morning when i got a text from my daughter (Waiting for the bus at 6:50am) that the chickens were freaking out. It wasn’t quite light out. I ran outside and they were all terrified and one of my original girls, an Easter egger was dead, half eaten and pulled partially through the fence. She was our biggest chicken and best layer. Prints in the Snow appear to be raccoon prints and I’m now on guard for sure. I always look to the skies but now enemies are everywhere. We are too close to other houses to shoot, but am getting trail cams tomorrow and if I see anything, hubby will get his .22 out regardless. We have a Great Dane and a Saint Bernard who share the same hard so I really thought their smell would deter any predators

poor girl; awful way to die; the others must be so anxiety-ridden having seen their friend killed so violently. So sad.

 

[ValerieJ]

poor girl; awful way to die; the others must be so anxiety-ridden having seen their friend killed so violently. So sad.

When my chickens were attacked by a bald eagle last June, one surviving hen died three days later from shock. It's very hard on them.

 

[WhyDoILikeChickens]

You might think that, but I'd beg to differ. I have a similar gap in a double gate in a section of chain link yard fence, and I've personally witnessed skunks, possums and coons slip through with ease. The barn cats don't even slow down when they go through it........and the gap is only 2 1/2 inches +/-. Chickens won't, large dogs won't......but varmints? Remarkable what they can maneuver through.

Varmints that live in the wild are really talented at getting into places we would think impossible. Most folks look at their chicken house as a means of keeping chickens in and build it accordingly. Better plan is to build something to keep varmints out.......and design and build it accordingly and let the chickens adapt to that. In reality, the difference is really pretty subtle, but significant.

And as for the insulation board......good that you are replacing it, as it was not going to stop anything. The best you could hope for with that was when the coons knocked it down, the pipe holding it up was going to club em in the head when it fell.

The ingenious widowmaker trap?

I came home to find a raccoon in the coop. A huge raccoon. Got one round in him but didn't realize how easily he could escape and was standing at the exit lol. He limbo under the gate 2" like walking through a doorway. He was running right at me. Second round was panicked but accurate lol. The end, accept for the other raccoon, 3 possums, 2 skunks, and a cat the size of a small dirt bike.

 

[Al Gerhart]

I’m like the shoemakers wife. He’s a commercial construction worker with friends in every field yet I’ve waiting 15 years for a new kitchen...but I have my chickens and an amazing coop so I try not to complain

Once I was talking with a customer and a second lady walks in and patiently waits while I finish up with the first one. The first one makes the comment about how lucky I am that I am a cabinetmaker and how wonderful my kitchen must be. I made a comment about how the plumber's sink always leaks and the second lady started laughing. Her husband was a plumber and yes her sinks leaked.