STARTING OVER😭

[I_luv_chiks]

Every morning i love waking up and looking out my kitchen window and seeing my ladies in the morning light talking away and my roo roo screaming to wake everyone up. Sadly xmas morning I got up and did the usual only all I seen were feathers everywhere And then the bodies of all 15 of my girls and my poor roo roo dead under the coop. My heart is broken. I've tried protecting my chicks and this is a first in 4 years. Through research I've learned that its it's a mink attack. So my question is what can I do to prevent this happening again I thought I had everything secure but I guess not from a mink. Im sad and sickened for my girls and roo roo.

 

[CHlCKEN]

Every morning i love waking up and looking out my kitchen window and seeing my ladies in the morning light talking away and my roo roo screaming to wake everyone up. Sadly xmas morning I got up and did the usual only all I seen were feathers everywhere And then the bodies of all 15 of my girls and my poor roo roo dead under the coop. My heart is broken. I've tried protecting my chicks and this is a first in 4 years. Through research I've learned that its it's a mink attack. So my question is what can I do to prevent this happening again I thought I had everything secure but I guess not from a mink. Im sad and sickened for my girls and roo roo.

Let’s see your coop and run. I am so sorry for this loss. That is really really tough

 

[Weeg]

I can help you predator proof your coop, to keep it from happening if you like. I am so sorry for your loss, this has happened to me many times, so heart breaking. Pictures of your coop setup, maybe the birds bodies or info on how there were killed, can help us ID the predator, and protect your coop from it, and other predators in the future. So sorry for you loss. *hugs* Avery

 

[CHlCKEN]

I had to start over (sort of) this summer. The same happened to me. I walked out to collect the eggs one rainy night, only to find 8 of my birds missing and 1 body strangled in the electric netting. I was lucky that 4 were still alive, but I was just as heart broken as you. It took a long long time for me to recover and I had a tough time getting back into the game. I finally ordered 4 baby chicks this summer to add to my very small flock (3 after the loss of one more hen) and I have plans to create an even larger flock some day soon. I’m sorry for your loss. It is really hard losing someone you love, especially so many at once

 

[JNC]

Sorry for you loss. I lost one duck to a dog can’t imagine how hard it can be to loose all. Praying for you, sorry you have to go through this

 

[Folly's place]

I'm so very sorry for your losses, it's awful. Pictures of your coop and run will be helpful here, and realize that any opening larger than 1/2" diameter will be too big for your overnight coop, at least.
We have disasters, and need to move forward and learn from them. Most of us have had horrible things happen out there, and improved housing as a result.
You might be able to trap and eliminate your current weasel, a good idea IMO, because it will return, to your coop or someone else's.
Upgrade your chicken housing, and get ready for cute new chicks in spring.
Mary

 

[HomesteaderWife]

Firstly, I’m oh so sorry for your loss. It’s never easy, especially when you’re so fond of them.

Consider learning to trap this small critter, and dispatch it and tan the hide to be resourceful. If this is something you don’t think you could do (trapping/dispatching) then call your state wildlife dept. and ask for a directory of licensed trappers who may offer their help or services?

you’ll find a lot of good people here willing to help you predator proof and find out how the critter got to them.

 

[hayley3]

Every morning i love waking up and looking out my kitchen window and seeing my ladies in the morning light talking away and my roo roo screaming to wake everyone up. Sadly xmas morning I got up and did the usual only all I seen were feathers everywhere And then the bodies of all 15 of my girls and my poor roo roo dead under the coop. My heart is broken. I've tried protecting my chicks and this is a first in 4 years. Through research I've learned that its it's a mink attack. So my question is what can I do to prevent this happening again I thought I had everything secure but I guess not from a mink. Im sad and sickened for my girls and roo roo.

It's hard, and most of us have been there. Sorry...no words can really help to alleviate your pain but you have us to lean on...talking about it helps and fixing your coop so it doesn't happen again will help as well and keep your mind off of your loss..there's some chickens out there somewhere that will need you in the future..... It's really hard to know exactly what or who killed your chickens...I still to this day can only guess what animal massacred my girls.

 

[Artichoke Lover]

I’m so sorry this is my worst fear when it comes to chicken keeping. I hate to ask but like others have said it would really help identify the predators if you could post pictures of the bodies and the coop.

 

[AccidentalFarm]

So sorry this happened.