~ :-( My first predator attack ** It happened again!

[duckboatprincess]

I vote coyote. I had a rouen duck taken a couple weeks back. There really weren't any feathers or anything. We were thinking a fox, but tonight we heard the 'yotes so I'm assuming that's what got him. Sounds like the same thing for you.

I'm really sorry to hear this. I'd certainly make sure to pen them before 3 or 4 pm. I know I hate to do it to mine, but it breaks my heart to loose them.

 

[Carolyn]

I had been free ranging a couple of months then in 1 day I lost 5 grown heavy breeds and had one survivor of a fox attack. Most of them were killed mid day. We killed a feral cat and caught 2 coons and 3 possums over the next two days. I still get dizzy thinking how quickly that all happened.

Sometimes it is hard to figure out the predator from the evidence. A gun and traps seem the best solution at our house but I am thinking of adding an electric fence.

Good luck in protecting your own.

 

[Dar]

I think I am done...I am throwing in the towel....

I have told my children that we are no longer letting the chickens out to free range because of the predators...

well my DD (she is 6) thought she knew better then I do and she let them out anyway!..

gone..they are all gone!!!...all i have left are my silkies 3 of them and the chicks in the brooder in the house

I am hoping they come back as the night wears on but I am doubtful...that makes 7hens and 1 roo today...I am done I wont do this again

 

[redhen]

Ahh!

I'm so sorry!

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

Prepare for when those brooder chicks are ready to go out by building a preditor proof run or get a dog kennel run and attach hardware cloth to the bottom 2-3 ft that aprons out a foot or so and cover with deer netting.

Be sure to lock them up at night in the coop as deer netting top won't keep out coons or possums.

There's no reason to give up having chickens. There's plenty of us who safely raise chickens to be happy, healthy egg layers. Just do your best to protect the ones you have left.

Good luck to you and your family.

 

[chsfairy2007]

What ~*Sweet Cheeks*~ said. Once I stopped free-ranging - I stopped losing chickens. Now they have just have a grassy run, and they are fine with that. I'm sorry for your losses.

 

[thewarriorchild]

From experience... give it a few days, weeks you can do it. I thought I was going to give up but I have 30 some chicks/chickens in my yard.

Quote:

 

[S n M Poultry]

Could it be a bobcat? I lost 45+ chickens to a family of them a while back...

 

[Dar]

Quote:
bobcats are not a problem here but thanks for the suggestion..my DD seen a coyote in the yard earlier this week

 

[eggdicted]

coyotes have some black fur on them and i dont think a coon could put a hole in chicken wire just by running through it maybe but doubtful i vote yote especialy if there being seen