STUPID PREDATORS!

[Tara1971]

I am so distraught right now. Last year something got in my coop and killed half my flock. I fortified The Coop made sure everything was good to go and we haven't had an issue for a year. Well last night something broke in and killed my entire flock except for one.
So needless to say I am going to give her to a friend who has a good established flock to hold on to for a little bit and I'm going to build something that nothing will get through! Or hopefully won't.
So the house itself is fine. It's their yard. They keep breaking in on top where I have this wire cloth type stuff. It wears so easily and I just replaced it last fall, but the harsh winter and now horrible summer we've had must have worn it down. The Coons tore it to shreds!
I need some ideas. How too fortify the fence and the top of the yard. What works best?
Was thinking of putting the entire fencing surrounded with wood. But what do I do about the top? What's easy and inexpensive?
Also my coop was existing so the floor needs replaced. Should I raise it? It's probably a for of the ground right now. But I have horrible mice issues.
Need the best ideas.
Please help... Scrap everything but the house? Ugh!

 

[Buffbrahmasforever]

Just put a door on the coop and lock them up each night.

 

[speckledhen]

I have to ask you, are they secured inside an actual building or just a pen at night? If the coop is okay, then how is a raccoon getting into their coop? Maybe you need to show us a photo of your setup.

I have never had a predator loss mainly because there is no way a raccoon or anything except maybe a bear can get into their buildings at night. All openings are secured with hardware cloth attached with screws and washers, not staples. All doors have raccoon-proof locks as well. I'm really having a hard time visualizing your coop/pen situation so I can offer suggestions. If they are inside a locked coop, then even if a predator got into the fence, they should still be safe at night.

 

[coach723]

I also think pictures of your set up will help in giving you suggestions. The only way to truly predator proof it is to have it completely enclosed with things that can't be broken through, opened, dug under, chewed or torn by predators. Hardware cloth is usually considered to be the best (1/2 inch or smaller). Either use that to cover your run, or build a solid roof over your run. I know you are frustrated, but predators are very smart about getting to food (your chickens), and very persistent.

 

[snow5164]

I’m hoping you really don’t want “ easy and inexpensive “ as you said . Your going to have to invest in this because they know where your chickens are ...

Agreed with others , pictures please

 

[speckledhen]

I will give you examples of a predator proof coop and pen. snow5164 is correct, that you can't always get by on the cheap if you really want a safe environment for your birds. It's not cheap replacing birds upon birds, either, so making the coop rock solid as well as the pen goes a long way toward peace of mind.
This was the best, most secure pen we ever built because its original occupants were tiny bantams. We built this ourselves for less than $600 (without the pen part). It is 8x12 with the first 4' being storage when you come into the side door so the actual coop part is 8x8.
The building had a sliding pop door that was locked/braced from the inside and no place for a raccoon to get fingers around to pry open the door. Windows and all openings covered in hardware cloth screens. There were dig barriers all around the fence, even under the gate, which can be a weak spot. The building is not flat on the ground. It's sitting on a 4x4 framework that rests on concrete blocks to level it.

Window had a hardware cloth covered hinged screen that was secured by a bolt and wingnut so even humans would have a hard time getting through it. Later we added a casement type window where you see a decorative shutter on the front of the building.

The pen was pretty secure, but it didn't have to be at night because nothing could get into that coop. The cover was as much to keep them from flying out as to keep predators from climbing/flying into the pen.