Stressed chickenmama

[NewChickenmama06]

I have 5 black Australorp pullets and black Australorp cockerel. Tonight is the very first night they are staying outside in their coop.
I am so stressed that the big raccoons we have around here are going to get them. We have them close to the house and the coop has an electric fence all around it, but I'm still worried.
Is this normal for a new chicken mama?

 

[Folly's place]

Everyone loves chicken! If your coop is predator proof, all will be well. If it's not, fix it!
Electric fencing is great, but can't be your only defense. Rats and weasels, for example, will get past it easily. No openings larger than 1/2" diameter anywhere, solid walls, good ventilation, all very important.
Mary

 

[llombardo]

I went through the same thing. In fact I still worry and its over a year later.

I have hardware cloth from top to bottom and 2 feet out on the ground, a heavy duty net and 8 strands of electric wire all around. If they get past that I have hardware cloth around the coop on the ground, double hardware cloth on coop wherever there is hardware cloth.

And I still worry.

 

[Norcal527]

Yes it's normal. Consider a baby monitor...it gives me peace of mind to know I'd hear anything going on.

 

[Willowspirit]

I have 5 black Australorp pullets and black Australorp cockerel. Tonight is the very first night they are staying outside in their coop.
I am so stressed that the big raccoons we have around here are going to get them. We have them close to the house and the coop has an electric fence all around it, but I'm still worried.
Is this normal for a new chicken mama?

As far as i can tell many of us have had the same worries and fears. Some of us have even crept out in the night with a flashlight to see how they are doing. It is a major hurdle to peace of mind.

 

[NewChickenmama06]

Everyone loves chicken! If your coop is predator proof, all will be well. If it's not, fix it!
Electric fencing is great, but can't be your only defense. Rats and weasels, for example, will get past it easily. No openings larger than 1/2" diameter anywhere, solid walls, good ventilation, all very important.
Mary

We are one it! Thanks. They made it through with no signs of predators.

 

[NewChickenmama06]

As far as i can tell many of us have had the same worries and fears. Some of us have even crept out in the night with a flashlight to see how they are doing. It is a major hurdle to peace of mind.

That thought crossed my mind for sure last night! Had a hard time sleeping. Thanks

 

[NewChickenmama06]

I went through the same thing. In fact I still worry and its over a year later.

I have hardware cloth from top to bottom and 2 feet out on the ground, a heavy duty net and 8 strands of electric wire all around. If they get past that I have hardware cloth around the coop on the ground, double hardware cloth on coop wherever there is hardware cloth.

And I still worry.

(Sigh) so I guess no matter how much we predator proof, there will always be that worry in the back of my mind. Thanks. I feel my worry is at least valid!

 

[Celticdragonfly]

Mine aren't even out to their coop yet, we're doing everything we can to make it predator-proof - and I know I'm STILL going to worry!

 

[NewChickenmama06]

Mine aren't even out to their coop yet, we're doing everything we can to make it predator-proof - and I know I'm STILL going to worry!

I guess as chicken parents, we are going to worry. Dang those sneaky predators