Don't make my mistake. I know you won't, but just in case, here's the sad tale...
12:30 last night. Lola had been in the chicken tractor for the day, since she had been ruthlessly pecking the young birds I was introducing to the flock. After everyone was settled in the main coop, I was ready to transfer her to a cage for the night, but got sidetracked by surprise late-night (human) visitors. The predator opened the door to the chicken tractor, and also closed it. It left no feathers or blood, and carried my bird up the street without a trace. I know what it was because I heard her squawk, ran outside, saw nothing, and started running up and down the street with a flashlight. I saw the raccoon's eyes in the light several houses up, and ran after it. I chased it until it ran under a neighbor's car, then menaced it until it dropped my bird and ran away. The raccoon killed by breaking her neck and puncturing her windpipe. It was planning to do the messy work far away from my property.
Then, I went home with my dying bird, dealt with her, and double-checked the main coop. Closed and locked everything, even the high windows. Good thing, because when I shined my flashlight at the big tree that overhangs the coop, there was a mother and youngster climbing the trunk. They left once I spotted them. Still, I stayed out at the coop for hours until I was too tired to be useful, and pretty sure they were gone.
RIP Lola. She died because I didn't do my job. I feel terrible.
Chicken tractors aren't any protection at all from nighttime predators. But, we all knew that. Make sure you transfer your birds to safer quarters as soon as it gets dark.
12:30 last night. Lola had been in the chicken tractor for the day, since she had been ruthlessly pecking the young birds I was introducing to the flock. After everyone was settled in the main coop, I was ready to transfer her to a cage for the night, but got sidetracked by surprise late-night (human) visitors. The predator opened the door to the chicken tractor, and also closed it. It left no feathers or blood, and carried my bird up the street without a trace. I know what it was because I heard her squawk, ran outside, saw nothing, and started running up and down the street with a flashlight. I saw the raccoon's eyes in the light several houses up, and ran after it. I chased it until it ran under a neighbor's car, then menaced it until it dropped my bird and ran away. The raccoon killed by breaking her neck and puncturing her windpipe. It was planning to do the messy work far away from my property.
Then, I went home with my dying bird, dealt with her, and double-checked the main coop. Closed and locked everything, even the high windows. Good thing, because when I shined my flashlight at the big tree that overhangs the coop, there was a mother and youngster climbing the trunk. They left once I spotted them. Still, I stayed out at the coop for hours until I was too tired to be useful, and pretty sure they were gone.
RIP Lola. She died because I didn't do my job. I feel terrible.
Chicken tractors aren't any protection at all from nighttime predators. But, we all knew that. Make sure you transfer your birds to safer quarters as soon as it gets dark.
