So SAD!~

[lady feathers]

Sorry for your loss.... definately go with electric and move the roost bars as high as you possibly can (hopefully above standing bear height). Sounds like your roos each did their best since they were able to protect one gal a piece! That bear will be back... I would move the remaining birds temprarily until you can reinforce the coop (maybe keep them on an enclosed porch or in the laundry room in a dog jennel for a few days if you can't get fencing up right away)!

 

[Balbinka]

I am really sorry about your loss!

Bears will go right through an e-fence if they're hungry enough.
You might want to build a new coop. Bears are our #1 predator here and that's the only thing that has ever stopped them from getting too close to the neighborhood poultry.

 

[flowergirl60]

Sorry for your loss. Get the electric fence and your daughter some new chickens. I am so glad we don't have bears near me.

 

[terrilhb]

I am so sorry for yours and your families loss. Sending lots of hugs.

 

[cgtara3]

So sorry for your loss.

To be sure the bear WILL BE BACK. The bear sees it as an easy meal, and what bear will turn that down? I hope the game warden is able to actually help you with this problem. I feel bad for anyone losing their babies, as we have had that happen, and know the feeling. It's heart breaking.

 

[<3ChickenForever]

Awww

Sorry that happened. I know exactly how your daughter feels. I just lost 5 adorable and friendly birds. 3 died on 5-5-11 and 2 on 5-6-11. It was a mink and were making sure it doesn't happen again. I hope you catch that bear and then eat it! Lol, but catch it before you get new birds.

 

[dtmm81]

Update:

So after all the horrors of spring we were trying hard to decide whether or not we wanted to keep chickens at all. We went back and forth. In the mean time the 2 roosters that we had left made a lot of advances on the hen we had left. We finally had a neighbor ask if they could take the roosters for their flock. Just about the time the roosters went to their new home, our hen started getting broody! Now, a few weeks later we have 1 hen and 2 chicks!! So, the choice has been made for us. Now we are actually considering getting some more chickens so they can keep each other warm in the winter months. Fun, more chicks. (any issues adding chicks to the coop that has hen and her own chicks?

Guess I'll be beefing up the coop some more this weekend. I'm still amazed at the fact that the bear ripped that door right off the hinges to get in, but now that I've learned there will be a 2nd line of defense. I'm going to make a secure outside run for them. So hopefully that does the trick during the times that bear activity is the highest.