Need help ASAP!!!

[Sara Ranch]

I responded to a rooster urgent call. My rooster gangs and my flock roosters are very good about not being loudmouths. So when they start hollering, I come pretty darn quick.

I arrived, flushed from the heat and the quick, almost run to my rooster. He's looking up. Another rooster is looking up. I looked up.

Oh. Sugarfritz.

Between last night AFTER lock up and the rooster call, SOMETHING torn down the whatever you call it and now there is super easy access to my largest outdoor flock.

I know that it was intact last night because I went looking for a rooster who was out after bedtime. I looked there. On two different occasions with a bright flashlight. The whatever you call it was there.

I looked around and couldn't find the missing piece on the ground. But I did find rat poop nearby.

Here's my problem -

* I am not tall enough to reach it, even with the tallest step stool I have here.
* I am here by myself - no help.
* The one person I would call to help is out of town.
* The other person I would call wouldn't be allowed to come help. (Relationships are complicated.)
* I can't relocate this flock to another building, unless I do it after dark. One by one. Then keep them locked up in the other building all day Friday. On Saturday, I'd have to relocate the flock back to the building and pasture they are currently in.
* There is no roost or nesting boxes in the other building. I can put in nesting boxes, but I can't make a roost (no materials.)
* There are 32 chickens in this flock.
* I can't consider leaving them in that building tonight, knowing that something wanted in so badly, it did that damage!

Any suggestions?? Just in typing this out, it sounds like my only viable solution is to move the flock after dark and just hope that nothing comes in at/around bedtime.

 

[Robin37]

Oh Sara, that is a big piece of ceiling ripped out. What ever ran off with it must be big. I would get a box to transport more than one chicken at a time as you move them tonight. I am so sorry this happened to your roof especially with no one to help you at this time. You can use buckets, old chairs, etc for roost temporary. Until your friend that can help can come.

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

That looks like a sturdy structure for and animal to have ripped it out. Is there anyway that a wind gust could have cause the damage? That would explain why you can't find the missing piece. You'll need a ladder, plywood, drill with some screws or at least hammer and nails to repair that. If it had been a predator the missing piece would still be around someplace. Maybe a neighbor nearby could help if you asked. People are usually kind in instances like this.

 

[CapricornFarm]

You could cut some branches for perches. It looks like the soffitt is torn off. You might have to tack hardware cloth over all the soffitt to prevent the same problem again. Good luck on the move.

 

[CSAchook]

I'm afraid that moving them does sound like the best option. Then you will know for sure they are safe. You can improvise perches (I've used milk crates before). The chickens will make do. A dog crate, box etc will allow for moving more chickens at a time. Good luck. And I am so sorry this happened to you! Glad your roosters did a good job of letting you know though.

 

[Sara Ranch]

Thanks.

I ended up taking a portion of deck railing, turning it sideways, to use as a ladder. I wedged it between some heavy duty boxes that I struggle to move on my own.

I took hardware cloth and stapled it to the exposed wood. Then rolled/curled up the hardware cloth up into the opening against the cinder block. If you have worked with hardware cloth, you know it doesn't like to stay curled up, so it unfolded some on the inside. Then I duct taped the hardware cloth to the cinder block.

The wind couldn't have ripped it off. That whatever you call it is actually sheltered on three sides. The opening to the outside is at the opposite end. The whatever you call it is still missing. Something carried it off.

I really cringed/hestitated about moving the flock to the other building. It's an unfinished building and the crew was suppose to come back this weekend to finish the building. I knew that they would absolutely hate me if they had to work in/around chicken shit. There was only plywood down as the floor. Chicken shit between the plywood and the floor would have been a stinky mess.

The guys are suppose to finish the building (walls/floor) today. Then I can put in nesting boxes & roosts. And predator proof it. And put up a 6' fence around their pasture. (Fox was spotted running away yesterday. So I need to be extra vigilant about the safety of my animals!

I still can't believe that happened, but am so grateful for the rooster calling me to show me. It could have been so sad if any of the birds had been injured or died. (Yes, I cry when my babies get hurt.)

This was a valuable lesson in reminding me to look up as well as down and all around when I do my walks and safety inspections.

 

[Sara Ranch]

PS - As soon as the other building is completed (by workers), I am moving the flock down there. And yes, I am using boxes to move them, one by one, or two by two.

Meanwhile, I am checking my chick-red-neck repair multiple times a day to see how it's holding up.

I am so blessed that things worked out! I was really panicked & feeling like I didn't have a very good option.

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

If something was on top of the soffit and pulled the piece up it could be laying on top of the rest just pulled out of the way.
You could ask the crew coming to do a quick repair for you. I'm sure if you explained you didn't want to move the chickens to make their job easier, and cleaner, they would be happy to help.

 

[Sara Ranch]

The guys will need to look up and in to see if the piece of soffit is up there. It might be.

I struggled to do the repair and definitely didn't have the height to see what was going up there. It was tippy toes to staple and to tape the hardware cloth!

I'll ask them to do the repair -- it needs to be done regardless. Thank you for the suggestion.

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

You go Sara Ranch! You are an excellent example to all poultry keepers, that when you feel helpless you can really be at your best. Once you calm down solutions will come to you. Then you just put one foot in front of you and move forward with a plan. You did it - you protected your flock! That is so awesome!