My mom called me early this morning to tell me that my niece had opened up Mom's coop and found a dead chicken. The coop is old, but has been well predator-proofed, and nothing has gotten in since she started keeping chickens. Unfortunately, they were a little late closing the coop up last night, and I think the coon was already inside when they shut the door. When I got there, I opened the door to absolute carnage. Bodies everywhere. As I was talking to my mom on the phone letting her know what was happening, I found the culprit. The damn raccoon was still in the coop! I quickly ran home (we live only about 1/4 mile apart) and got the gun. I'm not a killer and I usually take no pleasure in killing predators, but I have to admit, this kill was satisfying. I spent the morning crying and burying the poor birds, who never did anything to anyone. We raised them at our house and they were all just the tamest, sweetest girls.