Kids never locked the flock in

[omelette'smom]

My dh goes to work at 4:30am. I get home at 4am. So it's the kids responsibilty to lock in the flock by 7pm. Well, they didn't do it. The girls are all roaming around in my yard. My trash is tipped over meaning we had a visit from that coon again. Second time in 2 weeks. It's now time for a head count. I think the way to do this is whoever's dish night it is, than it's their coop night also. We can't install an auto closer because it is a full size metal door. Wish me luck...hope we have everyone.

 

[popcornpuppy]

I hope you have all of your chickens. I can relate to you. I have 3 kids that are big helpers only when they want to be. My 15 year old was responsible for putting the chickens to bed at nite. It did not work out, so now she gets the chickens up in the morning. I live south of you, in MA and have all of the same preditors that you do. My husband does the chicken bed check and keeps an eye out for trouble. I don't know if this info will help you, but I saw a light at McMurray hatchery. It is a solar power light that shines red to ward off preditors. It simulats the glow of a larger preditor's eyes. I am trying to convince my hubby to get us a couple of these lights. Best of luck, and let us know if all of your chickens are OK.

 

[jjthink]

I hope everyone is okay

If so, it will be a miracle to savor.

I've read way too many massacre stories here on BYC due to kids having the responsibility to close the coop and do head count and them failing to fulfull this responsibility. Personally, I just wouldn't do it because to me the price paid by the birds is too high if a pred gets involved (maiming or death) and it's my job to ensure their safety (having said that, I have had a couple of neighbor dog attacks over the years despite my obsessively standing right next to my birds guarding them while they were getting exercise - thankfully none were fatal but it was horrid nonetheless, but I am vigilant about night time lock up though exceedingly difficult schedule-wise).

Unless you can set up a "fail-safe" system where you receive a phone call each eve right after they've been locked in to let you know all is well (and if the call doesn't come, you know to phone the kids), you may well have a catastrophe, if you haven't had one already. I really really hope this time is a get out of jail free card, and that all is well.

JJ

 

[omelette'smom]

I never updated this thread...I'm a scatter brain sometimes. Yes, they all made out fine thankfully! I normally talk to dh around the time the girls get locked in. The girls free-range and are not all in on the first attempt so the kids have to go out a few times. I feel like I'm nagging him when I always ask if the kids put the girls to bed. He's normally on the ball to remind them and this night here just seemed to slip everyone's attention. It was definitely a gift! Thanks, I'll checkout that light. Sounds promising!

 

[jjthink]

So glad everybody is okay!
JJ