Next Steps After Losing a Flock

[aart]

From what you wrote, I am thinking this happened overnight? Is that correct? What kind of security do you employ? Coop door closed? Run covered?

Wondering the same.

 

[True Patriot]

It sounds like there may be more than one predator. Check around the coop and yard. You may find something to help identify what it was. As long as the predator has a food sources it will most likely return. I would also re-evaluate coop security. Can never be too predator resistant.
Get more when you and the family are ready. Personally I don't think there's a set time. Sorry this happened to you. Best regards.

 

[kwhites634]

Hi,

We lost 5 of our 8 chickens last night/early this morning to a predator. We have 3 accounted for by feathers piles/"leftovers" and 2 still missing. 3 of our girls are currently corraled in their run.

We let our chickens free range - have for a year. This is the first time this has happened. what are next steps? Obviously we will monitor for the predator and take care of it if we can. Do you have to wait until you catch the predator before getting new chickens? do you wait until their shock wears off before introducing new ones? at least the 3 of them still have each other and we will be taking more precautions. I am happy to take any ADVISE (not scolding please, this ahs been a hard day) about best times to lock them up/let them out if you free range, etc.

Thanks in advance. I know only chicken people will understand. our yard was a massacre this morning and our 5 and 8 year old, who have raised these girls since they were chicks, saw. Been a tough day.

Do you have a rooster that free ranges with them? They're generally pretty watchful for danger from the air & getting their girls to safety. I generally turn mine out 1st thing in the morning on alternate days and they come back to the coop on their own by dusk. I wish I could tell you I've never lost a bird like that, but I have, and more than one; the latest being my big Marans. If you free range, that's the chances you take.

I'd set up a couple trail cameras, hoping to see what you're dealing with. Once you know that, you'll have a clue as to how to eliminate the problem. While you're doing that, go over your entire "secure" setup, looking for possible entry areas. Try to think like a hungry predator.

I'd wait 'til I had all the potential "problem points" secured before I furnished any more free meals to your unwelcome guest.

 

[bobbi-j]

I also free range, but shut the run gate at night (it's attached to the coop). I would wait until the chickens have recovered from the event before getting more. They are under stress right now, and adding more would just cause more stress.

As for your girls, unfortunately this is part of chicken raising. I think a parent's reaction dictates a lot on how kids react. If you treat this as a life experience, they will be sad, but less likely traumatized in my opinion. If you make a big thing out of it, it will be a big thing for them. I'm sorry they had to see that, but it's going to happen. When you have chickens, it's not a matter of if a predator is going to get them, it's a matter of when.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I currently let them out to free range an hour before sunset daily, weather permitting.
They have a 500 square foot pen. I lost 2 hens earlier this year, not to a predator.
I currently have 3 hens. One was attacked by a Coopers Hawk in their uncovered pen a year and a half ago. But she survived.
I have been free ranging them for 13 months. No losses while free ranging. GC

 

[Peppercorngal]

First priority is to secure your remaining chickens at night in a predator proof coop. Nights are the most common time for predators and chickens need to be enclosed in a safe place. Second is to determine the safety of the chickens when free ranging. I always free range and we had dogs and coyotes that would run from the forest, grab a chicken that was free ranging and run away. So we put up a fence. It's just a 4 foot farm fence with t posts. The area is large and so far the chickens don't try to fly over the fence as the area is about 50' x 50'. Plenty of room for them to roam and be happy and with the fence the dogs and coyotes can't just run in quickly during the day. We have had no losses since the fence. All this to say that you should do what you can to be sure the chickens are safe. You can get more chickens when you feel ready but remember mixing flocks can be difficult. I keep my chicks separate until they are 3 months old. I let them free range with the "old" chickens during the day. Pretty soon they integrate into one flock. I just let it happen over time. Good luck and I'm so sorry for your loss and sorry your kids observed the dead fowl. This may help them to know death is part of life. Best wishes.