My dad says there is no use they will be dead in a couple weeks.

[equine chick]

Ahhh Don't listen to him. When you coop is up, check it for any holes where a predator can get in. Sometimes we still lose birds. After yours is set up take some pics and show us here and we will see what else we can do to make it sound for your lil babies.

 

[The Chickens' Maid]

Quote:
We have coyotes, fox, raccoon, hawks, and I'm sure there are more; our coop is built into the barn, so it's near a lot of activity. We haven't lost a chicken yet.
As for the run, I'd advise half-burying wood boards around the perimeter of the run and nailing the wire to them. I learned from the chickens that wire tends to rust when buried; they tried to dig out . . .

 

[chickenmeadow]

Hope you have lots of enjoyment from your new chickens! I live on a rolling mountain slope & have all of the usual mountain predators; it's wild & active up here. I would love to 'free range" but alas, I love my chickens too much to lose them; so, they are locked into their coop every night, the food area is locked up every night & the coop is within a large top & side fenced yard which is mostly within our regular yard which is fenced. Sounds like you have most everything covered to keep them safe. The only things that I didn't notice is if you will lock them into their coop nightly & have considered wire on the ground also; consider laying & attaching 2x2 ( the like) fencing on the yard ground (covered with dirt) in case a predator digs thru the night or day & gets in. So smart that you'll have it burried a foot in the ground too. One side of the yard is exposed to the forest & small animals are always tunneling under to get in. Have fun, chickens are a blast!

Some Dads can be a little harsh sometimes, it may be his way of making you use caution & also to be realistic & prepare for the worst so you aren't hurt too badly. My hubby's like that; it erks me, but makes me stronger. The end result is that I just think & work harder to prove him wrong & make my plans come out better. Besides, I know he cares, he just comes off that way; after all these years, I'm wise to that "big softy's" ways. He even built me a lovely coop, after much protest & grumbling. So funny!

 

[cassie]

According to your dad, my chickens, goats, pigs, peacocks, and calves should have been dead years ago. We have lots of skunks, possums and coyotes. Haven't lost anything to any of them.

 

[emvickrey]

The only things that get into my coop are mice. Ane let me tell you, I grow some pretty healthy mice. The stray cats around here love them. We have bob cats, coyotes and a couple stray dogs that live in the woods behind us and then we have the flying predators also such as owls, hawks and eagles ( in winter). We have skunks, raccoons and opossoms, minks, i'm sure there are more just caknt think of htem all right now. The only time i've lost any chickens in the past 3 years are from neighbors dogs. I have a lock on my big coop and on one of the smaller ones and latch hooks on the other 3 small ones. All runs are covered but I do let them free range also.

 

[lovesduckies]

your bedroom?? lol. that's where i keep my duckies lol but i only have 2

good luck. looks like you got help, i have non to offer, just wanted to throw in my 2 pennies

 

[rubyrogue]

in previous years i always started my chicks, ducks, swan in my bedroom. either by hatching or buying dayolds.(the swan was a rehab swan i took care of for 3 months) Now with me and my son in the same room its not really an option. Once the sun comes up today i will post some pics of my work in progress.

 

[texasgal]

Well, isn't daddy just a ray of sunshine??

All you can do is the best you can do .. We live in the "woods" and have predators too .. I've only lost one bird.

 

[Minniechickmama]

Lacie,
I know what you are going through with all that. It is not fun to have a family member that is such a downer. You sound like you don't let it keep you from trying, so keep on trying. If you secure your ladies like everyone said, you should be just fine and have some good, fresh, healthy eggs to fix for you father to shut him up about the negative. Maybe your ladies will give him some sunny side up feelings in the process

Good luck. You are doing a good thing.

 

[cluckcluck42]

Your dad sounds a lot like mine. "I give it two weeks before most of them are dead" Haven't had any troubles and they free range during the day. I fortified their coop so nothing can get in and I think having a dog keeps a lot of predators at bay because we didnt have any tracks in the snow all winter.