Something got my chicks last night...every single one of them....

[chuckzoo]

So sorry to hear about your chickens.

I know it has got to be very hard but I would most certainly get some more chicks. Watching them grow and enjoying their personalities will take you mind off your loss. Now that your husband has re-inforced the coop you can feel more confident about keeping them safe.

 

[TinyLittleFarm]

I'm so sorry. How terribly sad.

 

[card5640]

Sooo Sad, we have "re-homed" 5 coons in the last 3 days,one got my silkie who had finally decided to start laying after 2 years! I got more and you should too. cant protect them from everything.

 

[kla37]

I was initially going to use chicken wire to enclose our coop, but a friend of mine showed me her old coop, and the holes the raccoons literally tore open in it. She said her dad had tried to keep a raccoon in a chicken wire pen when she was a kid, but it just ripped right through it like it was nothing. She advised that we use finer mesh hardware cloth, 1/4 and 1/2 in. Also, we put a security light on the coop gable, so whenever something walks by it floods the outside of the coop with light. So far it has worked, but we live in the woods, so I'm sure we'll eventually get hit someday. All we can do is try our best and know that while our birds are with us they are living the good life!

 

[WilczenskiFarm]

I'm so sorry! I know how you feel... I lost a girl last week to what I think is gape worm, and all I can think about is how she must have suffered before her death. I feel like a pretty poor excuse for a chicken mama, and my confidence, ego and pride is really hurt right now. The answer is that you can't protect against everything.
Hugs,
Amy

 

[mgw]

So sorry for you losses.

 

[Mrs. K]

You might try older hens, ones that are nearly full grown. They are sturdier. After you get your wire fixed. Cause once the predators have found you, well they will be back.

I know, cause just last night, a skunk, I think, got in and got my chicks. Dang it. They were growing so fine too. I spent the day reinforcing what I thought was Fort Knox. But we have had a lot of rain and sand, makes for easy digging.

sorry for your losses, it is tough. I am going to try buying some young hens, and I am thinking about getting a rooster. mk

 

[Bizzybirdy]

So sorry for your loss. A possum got 10 of my 3 month olds last night. I will get him tonight. He climbed over a 4 ft. high dog pen and just killed for the sport of it...very gruesome site to wake up to.

Sounds like you have a racoon though. Chicken wire is useless to keep out predators. I use 1/4" hardware cloth over all the windows in my chicken houses and a hot wire around the pen works great. Lights do not work. I have an automatic light over my pen, which was next to the front door of my house and it did nothing to stop the possum.

 

[NarutoTn]

im sorry for your lost and im going to war tonight to kill a predator too.good luck winning the war hope u win

 

[Bizzybirdy]

Thanks...I hope you get your predator also.

I have sat up MANY nights waiting for racoons, a possum is a little easier and slower...although this one is fast moving. Just hard to stay awake but at least the weather is warmer now. Will just leave one of my poor half eaten chicks in the pen tonight and wait....