Only 1 left.

[daddycool]

Your's is 12 gauge wire. Mine is 16 gauge. I'd say that both of those are pretty strong.
Look closely at the image on the link I posted. It says16 gauge right on the package. But it's coated with pvc.

I just decided today that I'm gonna do exactly what you said.
I'm gonna use regular chicken wire on the inside as a a backer and 2nd layer of defense. That way even wild birds like finches or blue jays, etc ... can't go through the fence.

 

[daddycool]

I thought about a trap. But as you can see after 16 coons ... it didn't solve the problem. They still come to your yard! I'm not gonna kill an animal after I trap it, so what's the use?

Also I don't want to trap neighborhood cats or possibly my own cats. And I don't want rats. That will bring even more cats. We already have mice back there and my neighbors have an abandoned out building which seems to be a combo kitten/ mouse factory. Which means our block has a feral cat problem.

 

[Lbrad7]

It sounds like it could be a coon or even that possum again. If you have a coon problem you will need to use more than poultry wire. I would suggest welded wire...a coon will rip that chicken wire to shreds.

Good luck! I hope you catch what ever it is.

 

[happycountryhens]

As far as one hen living on her own...I had a preditor attack and kill 5 of my six hens last winter. I killed the weasel, but was left with one hen. She did well by herself until I let her brood 3 hatching eggs that hatched on Mother's day in May. She raised the three chicks (two hens and one roo). She likes having companions, but did not seem to be negetively impacted by being on her own for a while.

 

[daddycool]

I'm not going to catch it because I'm not trying to catch it. I'm just gonna keep it out of the run.

I am using welded wire. 16 gauge.

 

[Blarneyeggs]

My neighbor lost 2 of her 3 hens this week. My son, bless his heart, offered them his favorite hen, she left here tonight and I'm heartbroken. Mostly because I think whatever got their other 2 hens will come back and get Honey.

She is the black sheep in our flock, all the other hens pick on her. The roo doesn't protect her and she's always on her own, alone. Maybe she'll be happier at the neighbors, I think that's what my son hopes.

 

[JenellYB]

If you caught a possum in there once, rest assured its probalby still around...they don't travel much once they have a home. Can't believe you had it and let it go! It won't stop with stealing eggs, which is bad enough. It will eventually kill a chicken.

The way i learned to 'dispatch' a chicken, how all the old folks I knew did it, is quick and I think less traumatic to the chicken that restraining it and stretching its neck out across something so as to chop it with a hatchet or something, and I never could figure out how I'm supposed to hold the body with one hand and the head I was trying to stretch out with the other and then locate my third hand to wield the hatchet ...plus I was always afraid I'd miss and chop my own hand or something...

Hold the chicken in your arms, take hold of both feet/ankles firmly, gently 'roll' it's body forward, and upside down so it's hanging from your hand holding the legs...doing it in a slow roll keeps it calm. Chickens really relax if held and carried upside down by the feet like that. Hold the bird along your side, stoop slightly so the bird's head is at the ground, the bird will have neck bent upward so as to hold head parallel to the ground. Lower it enough you can gently place the arch of your foot, on the same side of your body as you are holding its feet, across the neck just behind the head. Press down firmly enough to hold the neck down, with the head 'stopping' at the inner edge of your shoe sole, and while holding, straighten your body and lift the bird by the legs in a quick, firm but smooth motion. Don't jerk, and don't pause, do a solid follow through on your lift, and the head will detach quickly and easily. Job is done.

Another way is to use a 'killing cone'. One of those orange road cones works. Open the small end big enough to slip a chicken head through. Attach it something to hang small end down. Lower the chicken into it head first, holding the legs. Slip the head through the hole and the bird will rest that way as you then cut the head off. I've seen people use pruning loppers to remove the head.

Both ways, quick removal of the head kills instantly.

 

[Cavry]

I've known 'coons to kill multiple hens at one go, seemingly just for the fun of it and the attacks do seem to be aimed at the necks or heads. 'Coons are strong, smart and fierce. Take no chances with one. It knows there are chickens there it will return. Like several others have said, chicken-wire is for chickens, nothing else.

 

[Ibicella]

Yeah, my first thought was raccoon or skunk as well.

Cats will go after chicks and small bantams, but very rarely would ever try for a full grown hen. Possums would prefer to eat the feed or eggs rather than bother hunting. They will attack full grown hens, but not eat that much.

Cutting off the head is unpleasant for the human and really horrifying to watch, but it really IS a fast and humane way to euthanize, so long as your ax is sharp and you cut through in one blow. They feel nothing the moment that head is off. The body will flap and convulse as the nerves respond, but there is no pain and no life left.

I think your bird will be fine alone for a little while until you can get some more pullets in the spring. In the meantime, move her inside somewhere to rest and recover for a few days. Give her treats and just let her relax while you get that area that allowed the predators in fixed.

Because I guarantee if you put her back out there, she will be taken as well.

My deepest sympathies on the loss of your hens. I'm sorry this was the note you had to start off in our forum with. Welcome anyway, and I hope you will stick around!