I have been building a chicken coop and run for the last 3 months in anticipation of receiving 3 or 4 hens from my brother around the corner from me. I know. It is a weekend warrior project, so it is taking a very long time to finish. Anyway, he called me this morning to tell me that they were all gone. Something managed to get inside the coop and killed every last one of them. He said he didn't see any blood, but it was dark out this morning when he went to check on them and open the coop door.
Something had dug into the run and managed to get the coop door open. It also tried to drag one of the hens out through the hole it dug to get in, but the hen was too big to fit through. He lost one roo and 10 hens. By what he describes, the hole is small, and if there is no noticable blood, I think it might be a weasel or fisher cat. We have many fisher cats in this neighborhood. More than once, I have seen one in my back yard at the end of the day.
I will be heading over there in an hour or so to help him clean up the mess. I will have a better idea of what happened after I see it for myself. He is feeling really bad about it right now and knows now that he should have done a better job of making the coop predator proof. I will give him a hug and help him beef up his coop and run before he tries to have chickens again. That is what sisters are for
On another note, my coop will be finished by next weekend, and there will be no girls to call it home...... :-( I cannot raise baby chicks, because my hubby and I both work all day. My best hope is to search my area for anyone who might sell pullets. If anyone knows where I can get three pullets or hens in Southern NH, I would really appreciate the help.
Thanks all.....I love this site.
Nancy
Something had dug into the run and managed to get the coop door open. It also tried to drag one of the hens out through the hole it dug to get in, but the hen was too big to fit through. He lost one roo and 10 hens. By what he describes, the hole is small, and if there is no noticable blood, I think it might be a weasel or fisher cat. We have many fisher cats in this neighborhood. More than once, I have seen one in my back yard at the end of the day.
I will be heading over there in an hour or so to help him clean up the mess. I will have a better idea of what happened after I see it for myself. He is feeling really bad about it right now and knows now that he should have done a better job of making the coop predator proof. I will give him a hug and help him beef up his coop and run before he tries to have chickens again. That is what sisters are for
On another note, my coop will be finished by next weekend, and there will be no girls to call it home...... :-( I cannot raise baby chicks, because my hubby and I both work all day. My best hope is to search my area for anyone who might sell pullets. If anyone knows where I can get three pullets or hens in Southern NH, I would really appreciate the help.
Thanks all.....I love this site.
Nancy
