Lost 8 chickens

[21hens-incharge]

I’m sorry but she clearly did not know she was doing something wrong. It’s one thing to educate somebody on trap and release but another thing to make somebody feel like crap when they clearly thought they were doing the right thing. And I mean that in the nicest way possible.

I am sorry you feel I was harsh.
I am not berating the OP. I did not intend anyone to feel that way.

Many many people will read this thread.
I am a plain spoken (sometimes read as blunt) person and was simply being to the point.

 

[Howard E]

Sorry you experienced such a loss.

A couple lessons to be learned......

First is what to do with a predator that has caused harm. OP trapped and relocated it, and in doing so, set off another set of unintended consequences, none of them good. So the lesson to be learned is it is best to not be forced into this action again. Fix it so no predator can cause harm and it won't matter who comes around. Coons, dogs, whatever. They lose. They always lose.

Second is most folks new to chickens grossly underestimate what it takes to build a coop that is truly predator proof. One they can't tear apart, dig under or crawl over, no matter what, is a bigger project and expense than most realize. Yet if you want to keep your birds safe from all threats, that is what it takes.

So if you decide to reload and start over, and I hope you do, next time offer them protection from all comers. In doing so, you replace your current level of anxiety with peace of mind, knowing all will be OK. It can be done.

 

[GoProChickens]

Sorry for your looses, a few months ago I lost 7 hens in one night, so I know how it feels. I LOVE bantams!

 

[bekind]

My heart goes out to you I’m very sorry for your traumatic losses. It is so painful to lose our little loves, especially when their ends are so tragic. I’ve almost given up several times, but the ones that survive keep me at it. Know that you’re not alone.

 

[Kris5902]

So sorry for your loss

Going forward though, if you trap a predator like a raccoon it is best to destroy it or call in a licensed pest control/wildlife to take care of it properly. Relocation isn’t ideal, even though it seems like the more humane option... either the coon will find its way back, become a problem for someone else, or most likely perish due to starvation if it’s become dependent on humans for food sources (trash, rodents,and your chickens for example) or it will certainly upset the natural ecosystem where it’s released one way or the other.

Please bear in mind no one is saying this to be mean, and your losses are heartbreaking.
Everyone just wants to help educate you on the problems of relocation, and how to deal with things better in the future. What’s done is done and can’t be un-done, so move on, learn from it, protect your remaining girls even better for having this awful experience.

Best wishes for the future, and when you’re ready to start rebuilding your flock, know that you’re now much better prepared to deal with nasty predators like this!

 

[GoProChickens]

When I caught the raccoon that killed my chickens, I legally put an end to it.

 

[Ms Chicory]

I am so sorry for your loss, it is so hard to lose any of our pets, So glad to see your beautiful survivors.

 

[llombardo]

I'm sorry for your losses

If you don't mind, how and where did the raccoon get in through the shed? I ask because I'm going to eventually build here and want to make it as secure as possible.

 

[HeyHo]

Your survivors are lovely! So sorry you had to go through that.

 

[WindingRoad]

Don't take this the wrong way but, that's actually the worst thing you could have done for the raccoon and possibly giving your problem to someone else. If you trap it, kill it instead, it's most likely not going to end well anyway for the raccoon.
https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/scrap-trap-when-evicting-wildlife

Besides it could come back. It know where it's food is. Wild animals are much much smarter than we give them credit for.