Looking for quick assistance...had predator issue...

[jennywren66]

Heard all my 12 chickens this morning pitching a fit...sounding like they were all laying at once...went out to find fresh predator attack (didn't see predator) but whatever it was got a hold of my chickens from the outside of the coop (presumably while they were roosting)...ripped the wing off one chicken (we had to put that one down) and two of my other chickens; has pulled most all breast feathers down to skin where it is/was bleeding. We isolated the injured chickens today and I have treated them with MicrocynAH (tried to flush wounds as best as possible without stressing them) and have coated wounds with triple antibiotic. They are in isolation cages inside. Other chickens outside confined to nest boxes away from predators. Would like advice on what more I can be doing for injured chickens (plan to keep them inside in isolation, treat wounds, and separate from other chickens) and "cure" for predator situation. Hoping trap that has been set will put a dent in things but suspect this may be tip of iceberg. We've had many, many years of predator-free chicken raising...just devastating to see this today. Appreciate any advice here!! Thank you!!

 

[chickenmeadow]

Wow, so sorry for you & your flock.

Electric fencing/hot wire:
We've lived in this forested area since 1993 & never had a bear, cougar or coyote, etc. try to get into our chicken run with 6' chain link & chicken wired top & sides; this was all until early 2016 when a bear took all of them out, except for the one I had to help "pass" because of a broken back. We put 3 spaced out strands of hot wire up right away (to zap different heights of predators), repaired the torn up coop & fencing, started a new flock with chicks & never had another problem there.

Last year we moved to another house on our property, set up a coop in our old mini barn & put up a pole carport run with 2" chicken wire sides & top, & of course hot wire around on some temporary posts from the feed store to keep predators out until we get fencing up with hot wire also. In the pic you can see the wire away from the run, but probably can't see the 4' flexible posts in the ground. We also put up battery operated motion sensor lights ($15 from Ace Hardware).The neighbors have seen 3 bears that come around often & (knock on wood) nothing has bothered my chickens since last March. I've seen one of the bears & lots of signs of them, also heard a large animal "yell in pain" from the hot wire here one late night after putting the chickens in. Best wishes.

 

[pennyJo1960]

First @jennywren66 what state are you in is you coop manufactured or home made please mostly chicken wire or hardware cloth ?

 

[jennywren66]

First @jennywren66 what state are you in is you coop manufactured or home made please mostly chicken wire or hardware cloth ?

Wow, so sorry for you & your flock.

Electric fencing/hot wire:
We've lived in this forested area since 1993 & never had a bear, cougar or coyote, etc. try to get into our chicken run with 6' chain link & chicken wired top & sides; this was all until early 2016 when a bear took all of them out, except for the one I had to help "pass" because of a broken back. We put 3 spaced out strands of hot wire up right away (to zap different heights of predators), repaired the torn up coop & fencing, started a new flock with chicks & never had another problem there.

Last year we moved to another house on our property, set up a coop in our old mini barn & put up a pole carport run with 2" chicken wire sides & top, & of course hot wire around on some temporary posts from the feed store to keep predators out until we get fencing up with hot wire also. In the pic you can see the wire away from the run, but probably can't see the 4' flexible posts in the ground. We also put up battery operated motion sensor lights ($15 from Ace Hardware).The neighbors have seen 3 bears that come around often & (knock on wood) nothing has bothered my chickens since last March. I've seen one of the bears & lots of signs of them, also heard a large animal "yell in pain" from the hot wire here one late night after putting the chickens in. Best wishes. View attachment 1272319

First @jennywren66 what state are you in is you coop manufactured or home made please mostly chicken wire or hardware cloth ?

 

[jennywren66]

Hi, Penny...thanks for your quick reply!! We have not had a chance to do hot wire reinforcement as this just happened today...definitely in long range plans. Our dogs (golden retriever and lab retriever) are usually out at night for reinforcement but were not last night. They are aging so our "caretakers" cannot be taken for granted. I did some minor reinforcement of lower portions of coop and put all the other girls in secure confinement for the night but probably most worried about the health of my ailing chickens for the next few days. I was happy to see them eat and drink while out today so I'm hoping that's a good sign. They handled the stress of their medical care tonight quite well but hoping that I can get some guidance through the next few days...as we heal them and prepare the "outside" girls for the shoring up that they may need.

 

[Peppercorngal]

Heard all my 12 chickens this morning pitching a fit...sounding like they were all laying at once...went out to find fresh predator attack (didn't see predator) but whatever it was got a hold of my chickens from the outside of the coop (presumably while they were roosting)...ripped the wing off one chicken (we had to put that one down) and two of my other chickens; has pulled most all breast feathers down to skin where it is/was bleeding. We isolated the injured chickens today and I have treated them with MicrocynAH (tried to flush wounds as best as possible without stressing them) and have coated wounds with triple antibiotic. They are in isolation cages inside. Other chickens outside confined to nest boxes away from predators. Would like advice on what more I can be doing for injured chickens (plan to keep them inside in isolation, treat wounds, and separate from other chickens) and "cure" for predator situation. Hoping trap that has been set will put a dent in things but suspect this may be tip of iceberg. We've had many, many years of predator-free chicken raising...just devastating to see this today. Appreciate any advice here!! Thank you!!

If you have this type of predator that reaches inside cages you need to do one of two things. Put hardware cloth on the outside so little possum hands can't reach through and/or make a totally enclosed run like chickenmeadow has with a enclosed wooden coop. The coop can be closed at night for safety of the flock. That's what I have as well. Our flock of 20 chickens was killed by bears (3) last October. We rebuilt the coop including a steel door and keep the girls in the coop at night. The run is enclosed and has a "skirt" of chicken wire topped with rocks so other predators can't get in it during the day. Finally we had a problem with dogs (before bears!) so we put a 4 foot fence around their free range area and haven't had any more problems with that. I have 26 3 week old chicks right now.

 

[jennywren66]

How awful!! And I was fretting over possums or raccoons...I could not imagine!! We are in an area that is being invaded by coyotes so we have begun to think about that issue...but not bears. Regardless...loss of flock is no less devastating. I thought I was going to have a nervous breakdown this morning. I probably won't sleep tonight waiting for sounds from yard as I know whatever it was will be back. We'll be doing coop reinforcements with additional skirting the next couple of days. I've done some temporary stuff to get us by, while they are locked up in nest boxes at night. Treating wounds is probably the most pressing issue right now.

 

[Peppercorngal]

How awful!! And I was fretting over possums or raccoons...I could not imagine!! We are in an area that is being invaded by coyotes so we have begun to think about that issue...but not bears. Regardless...loss of flock is no less devastating. I thought I was going to have a nervous breakdown this morning. I probably won't sleep tonight waiting for sounds from yard as I know whatever it was will be back. We'll be doing coop reinforcements with additional skirting the next couple of days. I've done some temporary stuff to get us by, while they are locked up in nest boxes at night. Treating wounds is probably the most pressing issue right now.

Yes, I agree, the wounds and as much protection as you can create on the fly are the most important thing right now. We also have lots of coyotes, foxes, raccoons, possums and hawks. We had learned to deal with everything and only lost two chickens before the bear. I wish you the best and believe me I understand that sorrow that comes from loosing chicken friends. I wish you the best from here on out!

 

[Peppercorngal]

Wow, so sorry for you & your flock.

Electric fencing/hot wire:
We've lived in this forested area since 1993 & never had a bear, cougar or coyote, etc. try to get into our chicken run with 6' chain link & chicken wired top & sides; this was all until early 2016 when a bear took all of them out, except for the one I had to help "pass" because of a broken back. We put 3 spaced out strands of hot wire up right away (to zap different heights of predators), repaired the torn up coop & fencing, started a new flock with chicks & never had another problem there.

Last year we moved to another house on our property, set up a coop in our old mini barn & put up a pole carport run with 2" chicken wire sides & top, & of course hot wire around on some temporary posts from the feed store to keep predators out until we get fencing up with hot wire also. In the pic you can see the wire away from the run, but probably can't see the 4' flexible posts in the ground. We also put up battery operated motion sensor lights ($15 from Ace Hardware).The neighbors have seen 3 bears that come around often & (knock on wood) nothing has bothered my chickens since last March. I've seen one of the bears & lots of signs of them, also heard a large animal "yell in pain" from the hot wire here one late night after putting the chickens in. Best wishes. View attachment 1272319

As you can see from the posts on this thread we had bear problems too. I had a thriving egg business until three bears came again and again and wiped me out too. I only have two hens now, along with 26 new pullets. We are going to add electric fencing as well. We purchased many of the supplies needed just yesterday. I enjoyed your post.

 

[chickenmeadow]

jennywren66, sounds like you jumped right in, treated/are treating the injured ones & got/getting them protected; you really had/have your hands full. Nature is so wild & beautiful, we just have to learn to find ways to fit into it. You're doing your best, just keep at it & hang in there!