Rip :(

[The Chickens' Maid]

Don't blame yourself; things like this are always going to happen to flocks at some point. Your three are happy now. It's always hard to lose one of your flock. With the four we have lost so far, three of which were medical, I will catch myself wondering what I could have done better or kicking myself for what I missed because I felt directly responsible. Hindsight always seems to be painfully clear, but it will get better. Give yourself as long as you need, then search around for more hens. Maybe a floodlight with a motion sensor, too. Research your area and read about what could have gotten your hens. There are a lot of people who have had their flocks attacked, you're not the only one.

 

[HippieChickens]

I'm so sorry for your loss, RobotChicken.

 

[Buff Hooligans]

Robot, I'm sorry if I sounded harsh. Your original post had you questioning if you should get more chickens if the predators are just going to try to do it again. It didn't say anything about "gee, I'm going to get more chickens but first I'm going to make sure the area is predator proof because this was a rotten mistake I don't want to see again".

Oh well. The whole thread just is so much like every other thread where people don't seem to know that predators will take advantage of every single weakness in your coop and run until it's too late. And chickens have to die.

 

[cubalaya]

when i first got some chickens over 25 years ago i found out that chicken wire might keep chickens in but not keep predators out. we use welded wire now and and fence the top of the runs too. sorry for your loss. it makes you want to give up but its just a learning process.

 

[chickenzoo]

So sorry

You might consider a livestock guardian dog......

 

[TheGoldenRoo]

I'm so sorry. I know what it feels like when you lose a loved bird...

 

[silkiechick05]

So when you say you didn't lock up the coop, did the chickens still have access to the run but were still able to get into the coop?

Or were they just out free roaming?

sorry for your loss...

 

[RobotChicken]

Quote:
Run is not attached right now, so the coop door was open.

 

[BWchicken]

I'm so sorry for your loss. And yes, the predator will most likely come back, and they'll go to great lengths to get to your chickens. But if you have a totally secure predator-proof coop you can have chickens again if you choose to. Take some time to grieve, you will know when/if you want to get some more. I am truly sorry for what has happened. I picture you finding them that way and it just breaks my heart. I am sorry you had to go through that. My thoughts are with you.

 

[chickenzoo]

Everyone makes mistakes. It is whether we learn from them that matters, as I'm sure the OP has. It is always hard to lose our chicken friends...........