Raccoon Got Into the Coop

[lmadeline146]

My family and I traveled on vacation for a week and had a caretaker checking in on the flock every 2 days. Unfortunately, we returned this morning to discover that a raccoon dug under our fencing in the ground, and got trapped inside the chicken coop since the door closed on him. He ended up killing four of our beloved hens: Waffles, Vader, Chicken the hen, and Ohio. Their names are funny, but this is nothing funny to me. My dad cleared them out before I saw what happened, but I was instantly torn with grief. I’m so devastated that this happened the day we got back from our trip. I feel so guilty and feel like I should’ve done more to protect them. I feel like a terrible owner. I just hope they didn’t have a painful death. I didn’t even get to say goodbye.

 

[sourland]

I am so sorry for your loss.

 

[WIchickMama]

so sorry this happened.

 

[Tookie]

So sorry that happened. Did the raccoon get all of your chickens?

 

[samanthaoverton]

I'm sorry a lot of us here have had that happen. I lost a juvenile roo a month or so ago because of one. You are NOT a terrible owner..raccoons are notorious for finding any weakness and exploiting it.

 

[lmadeline146]

So sorry that happened. Did the raccoon get all of your chickens?

No, he got 4/10 hens, and our two roosters survived aswell.

 

[lmadeline146]

I'm sorry a lot of us here have had that happen. I lost a juvenile roo a month or so ago because of one. You are NOT a terrible owner..raccoons are notorious for finding any weakness and exploiting it.

Thank you. I just felt so upset that I couldn’t even help them for what must’ve been hours of them being trapped with a raccoon.

 

[Tookie]

No, he got 4/10 hens, and our two roosters survived aswell.

At least the racoon didn't get anymore of your chickens. Are all of them ok? Are any of them shocked?

 

[lmadeline146]

At least the racoon didn't get anymore of your chickens. Are all of them ok? Are any of them shocked?

They’re all physically okay, none injured. Majority of the flock is carrying on just fine but the smallest hen has been standing still with her tail down and head tucked in the whole day. We thought she was sick but I think she might just be grieving.

 

[Tookie]

They’re all physically okay, none injured. Majority of the flock is carrying on just fine but the smallest hen has been standing still with her tail down and head tucked in the whole day. We thought she was sick but I think she might just be grieving.

You might want to treat the small hen for shock. Glad all the others are ok.