Lost my flock to a raccoon :(

[glloyd203]

I'm so sorry, that would be devastating for any chicken keeper.

If you have access to an incubator and want to try it's not too late to set your girls' eggs. People have successfully hatched grocery store eggs, which have been washed, refrigerated, and jostled during transport from the farm to the store to the home fridge. Just let them set out at room temperature for a day or so before putting them in the incubator.

I wish I had thought of it but sadly we don't have any left. We didn't have many to begin with what with it being winter. It would have been so lovely to have their babies. Thank you so much

 

[alinas2010]

I’m so so very sorry. I will be praying for your boy to make it through this. I hope that some comfort can be found in the photos and memories you have of the ones that passed. If you find comfort in sharing those memories, please do.

I lost my first chicken from my first flock around Christmas, and I found some comfort in knowing that it is only in loss that our homes become open to new fluffy friends in need of homes, when the time is right, of course. I’ll keep you and your rooster in my prayers.

 

[glloyd203]

I’m so so very sorry. I will be praying for your boy to make it through this. I hope that some comfort can be found in the photos and memories you have of the ones that passed. If you find comfort in sharing those memories, please do.

I lost my first chicken from my first flock around Christmas, and I found some comfort in knowing that it is only in loss that our homes become open to new fluffy friends in need of homes, when the time is right, of course. I’ll keep you and your rooster in my prayers.

I am so sorry to hear that. It's so hard. I'm hoping soon it will get easier to look at pictures of them; it's still really sad for me. They were such a perfect flock. But the good news is, my rooster is doing soo much better. He has been on medication and living inside and finally started crowing again for the first time in almost two weeks! So he'll move back outside tomorrow with a couple of new hens and his duck friends. Thank you so much for the well wishes

 

[Poultrybonkers]

A coon took my best laced hen last year its why I trap and dispatch.

 

[alinas2010]

I am so sorry to hear that. It's so hard. I'm hoping soon it will get easier to look at pictures of them; it's still really sad for me. They were such a perfect flock. But the good news is, my rooster is doing soo much better. He has been on medication and living inside and finally started crowing again for the first time in almost two weeks! So he'll move back outside tomorrow with a couple of new hens and his duck friends. Thank you so much for the well wishes

You’re so welcome and thank you, i appreciate you saying that. Someone told me that they give us so many good days and a few really bad ones, and I found this so fitting hang in there and take all the time you need to grieve.

I’m so glad to hear he has been improving! And how wonderful for him and you that a few new hens have found a home with you.

 

[HenHangout]

I trap and dispatch.

This. Whether your chickens are in a run or you have a fenced in free range area, I recommend setting a large live animal trap on the outside running parallel to the fence/run.

Raccoons are curious, they will investigate ways to access where they want to go and will even wander into unbaited traps.

Idk how many raccoons I've caught with an unbaited trap deployed in this manner... at least 8? I haven't seen a raccoon in about 7 months; I believe I have dealt with most of them but I still leave the trap out. Be sure to clean it and perform functionality checks every now and then since grass will grow into the trap.

Regarding dispatching, game wardens have told me killing is a must, as releasing could spread potential diseases. Personally, I use a 22lr pistol.

 

[PagosaMark]

I'm just posting this because I've been so sad and most people I know don't seem to understand what a major loss this is. We lost ALL of our girls to a raccoon. Ten hens and one female duck... the male duck and the rooster survived. It got four the first night and I saw where it got in and sealed it well, but I underestimated the power of those animals. This is my eighth year keeping chickens and ducks and my third year with that particular run, with no issues, and I guess the cold made the raccoons desperate and crazed. I am just so, so, so deeply devastated and heartbroken. I had the most amazing flock. It was over a week ago now and I am still in disbelief. I'm not even entirely sure if my rooster is going to make it; he was injured in the attack and has been unwell, but he's on antibiotics and being hand fed and I'm praying for a miracle because I cannot handle losing him too. I don't even know why I'm posting this, except that in this community people will probably actually understand what I'm going through. Thanks for reading <3

Racoons suck! We have been dealing with losses from racoons for years. Most recently, we had a Costco coop. Nice, but not SUPER strong. They figured out the latch on the door 1st, got a couple, then ripped the roof on the egg box off it's hinges. Only 1 survivor & she wouldn't go back in the death house. Brash lil f'ers had not fear of me until I killed one w/ a pellet gun... but that wasn't until they got under our house and tried to make a home in the insulated subfloor close to their diner. It was the last straw! They left for a while, but are back. The chicken lives with the ducks now till Spring. I built the duck house, & I don't think a bear could get in there! Nature is cruel! Fight the good fight

 

[Pattysarts]

I'm just posting this because I've been so sad and most people I know don't seem to understand what a major loss this is. We lost ALL of our girls to a raccoon. Ten hens and one female duck... the male duck and the rooster survived. It got four the first night and I saw where it got in and sealed it well, but I underestimated the power of those animals. This is my eighth year keeping chickens and ducks and my third year with that particular run, with no issues, and I guess the cold made the raccoons desperate and crazed. I am just so, so, so deeply devastated and heartbroken. I had the most amazing flock. It was over a week ago now and I am still in disbelief. I'm not even entirely sure if my rooster is going to make it; he was injured in the attack and has been unwell, but he's on antibiotics and being hand fed and I'm praying for a miracle because I cannot handle losing him too. I don't even know why I'm posting this, except that in this community people will probably actually understand what I'm going through. Thanks for reading <3

I am so sorry for your loss. I also lost babies and it was devastating. You have the right to be sad and hurt and mad.
All we can do is predator proof but they still find a way sometimes.
Hugs and love

 

[Linda A]

I'm just posting this because I've been so sad and most people I know don't seem to understand what a major loss this is. We lost ALL of our girls to a raccoon. Ten hens and one female duck... the male duck and the rooster survived. It got four the first night and I saw where it got in and sealed it well, but I underestimated the power of those animals. This is my eighth year keeping chickens and ducks and my third year with that particular run, with no issues, and I guess the cold made the raccoons desperate and crazed. I am just so, so, so deeply devastated and heartbroken. I had the most amazing flock. It was over a week ago now and I am still in disbelief. I'm not even entirely sure if my rooster is going to make it; he was injured in the attack and has been unwell, but he's on antibiotics and being hand fed and I'm praying for a miracle because I cannot handle losing him too. I don't even know why I'm posting this, except that in this community people will probably actually understand what I'm going through. Thanks for reading <3

I know exactly how you feel. I lost all my hens and a rooster also to a raccoon. I have since reinforced my chicken yard and coop, but have not had the opportunity to replace them yet. I miss them all dreadfully, and loved them much. They say time heals, and my hurt is abating, but I will never like raccoons again.

 

[Roofus]

So, so sorry for your loss. I hope fond memories of them help to comfort you as time goes by.
Take care, anyone that has a heart and love for animals understands.