Sad day.

[llombardo]

the thing with wildlife like oppossom, skunk and especially raccoons, there are reasons they are out and about during the day. I work in the garbage industry and a lot of the time(again, especially raccoons) land in garbage containers(lots fall asleep in them after they are done digging around)and end up in the truck with the trash. They are known to climb out and will be on the top of the truck or they jump or they are dumped with the trash. If they are on top of the truck, people usually honk or they are seen in the mirror and lots of the drivers just pull under a tree and they climb onto a branch and start over wherever they climb out. They always look dazed and confused, which peope think rabies right away. They are very disoriented. Then they are in a different area and I can see how if they happen to come across food, they take the opportunity. I think a good number of them around during the day are out there because of this.

 

[drumstick diva]

Suburban area here surrounded by forest preserves - we see raccoons during the day.
They are opportunists, they will remember where someone has food outside for a dog or cat. They will also eat bird seed - we don't feed them anymore. And don't feed squirrels, don't need them either.

 

[drumstick diva]

You should go to electrified fencing around coop and run. Their fur insulates them but, if you put strips of foil on the electric wired and smear with peanut butter (before turning current on) the coons will get a nice JOLT when their nose touched the foil.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Thanks so much. I've already been through losing half my first batch of chicks to inexperience and illness and now they were all doing so well, almost had all of their feathers in and really starting to show personalities and...this happens. I feel like this happens every time I try to have something nice for myself.

The photos were taken just last week.

I am sorry you lost any at all.

The thing I see in the pics is how the wire is attached. If you add even some furring strips to the inside making a sandwich of the hardware cloth it will really beef up how it is secured. The staples they use fall out and fail fast.


https://www.homedepot.com/p/1-in-x-2-in-x-8-ft-Furring-Strip-Board-160954/100009348

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

SO sorry! i just (yesterday) lost my Ameraucana pullet to a hawk..R.I.P hazelnut

 

[llombardo]

I am sorry you lost any at all.

The thing I see in the pics is how the wire is attached. If you add even some furring strips to the inside making a sandwich of the hardware cloth it will really beef up how it is secured. The staples they use fall out and fail fast.


https://www.homedepot.com/p/1-in-x-2-in-x-8-ft-Furring-Strip-Board-160954/100009348

So use the strips and do another layer of wire? Or just add the strips everywhere? I have to look at mine again. I see what your saying, but I don't know there is enough overlap to just add the strips and make it secure enough without adding more wire.

 

[Crow-ded house]

Oh how awful to lose your babies. To have a chickie predated hurts.

 

[21hens-incharge]

So use the strips and do another layer of wire? Or just add the strips everywhere? I have to look at mine again. I see what your saying, but I don't know there is enough overlap to just add the strips and make it secure enough without adding more wire.

They don't give you much wood to work with do they?

You would have to take measurements to see if you can add it to the existing insides. If there's not enough room then you may end up being able to add wire to the outside and sandwiching it there.

 

[PetraRobb]

I just lost one of my girls to a racoon too. It was very devistating for me.

 

[llombardo]

They don't give you much wood to work with do they?

You would have to take measurements to see if you can add it to the existing insides. If there's not enough room then you may end up being able to add wire to the outside and sandwiching it there.

After reading all these predator stories I am continually adding things to my to do list. I know we have raccoons and they are close. Same with opossum and skunk. I'm thinking if I can get in there, I want to add the wood inside and another layer of wire on the outside.

I'm having an issue with one corner of the enclosure. I have the black iron fencing that has been there forever seperating the yard and the enclosure is up against it. I know I have to put wire there but it would only be a couple inches if I can even do that. Then the corner itself is right where I would open the gate. The good thing is that if anything would try to dig along that area it would have to be on the side the dogs are. My head hurts...