Tell How Predators Got Your Chickens. Save Somebody Else From The Bad Experience

[cheeka]

yea! the second coop is laced in and secure at least enough for today. I will lace just about every square, and I have a wheelbarrow full of large flat stones to lay on the skirt as well as a few more chunks of maple trunk.

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

Looks great! Nothing is getting in or out of there! What alot of work that was, worth it to know the are safe and sound. I notice myself doing head counts lately as each flock comes by, and always glad to see my favorites. My broody has finally decided to roam from her broody pen, which was promptly taken over by Hazel and Gretel and Snippy...i think they like the security. Still can't post pics...oh well.

 

[okallthis4eggs]

yea! the second coop is laced in and secure at least enough for today. I will lace just about every square, and I have a wheelbarrow full of large flat stones to lay on the skirt as well as a few more chunks of maple trunk.

You have done a great job. My only concern is the rather large cracks between the boards. Could a coon stick his paw thru those cracks? Reason I ask is I have a lot of birdhouses around here and I have had coons climb up and sit on top of the bird houses and reach thru the hole and drag out the baby birds or eggs. A piece of hardware cloth over the cracks would solve that. Just a thought you may have considered this already. Again great job.

 

[cheeka]

the spaces do look large, but they are not really, and this coop was used for years in heavy coon territory with nary a loss... but i did think the same as you... the 2 roosts that are inside are each about 3 boards in and run parallel to the wall behind (on the right), so there is no way to grab roosting birds. I picked up another roll of hw cloth tho' bc i'm not taking any chances. i'll be able to screen it off tomorrow after work, and in the meantime, i've piled up a lot of stuff and two gates at the far end of the enclosure that leads to the path for the propane tank and that coop... the guy only needs to come here once a year to fill the tank, it's for the stove only and even with regular cooking, the tank lasts about a year and a half... so he was here in June. all that stuff is only in MY way at this point and it's there for that very reason, to keep out any curious predators. the knuckleheads still crammed themselves in the little coop anyway... i'm guessing it will take some time and growth to convince them that they will fit better in the other coop... bc the apple crate coop is in the very corner of the house, it is completely protected from weather and still is nicely ventilated...

 

[okallthis4eggs]

the spaces do look large, but they are not really, and this coop was used for years in heavy coon territory with nary a loss... but i did think the same as you... the 2 roosts that are inside are each about 3 boards in and run parallel to the wall behind (on the right), so there is no way to grab roosting birds. I picked up another roll of hw cloth tho' bc i'm not taking any chances. i'll be able to screen it off tomorrow after work, and in the meantime, i've piled up a lot of stuff and two gates at the far end of the enclosure that leads to the path for the propane tank and that coop... the guy only needs to come here once a year to fill the tank, it's for the stove only and even with regular cooking, the tank lasts about a year and a half... so he was here in June. all that stuff is only in MY way at this point and it's there for that very reason, to keep out any curious predators. the knuckleheads still crammed themselves in the little coop anyway... i'm guessing it will take some time and growth to convince them that they will fit better in the other coop... bc the apple crate coop is in the very corner of the house, it is completely protected from weather and still is nicely ventilated...

Thats cool I know you probably have chicks in your future and they could probably stick their heads thru a couple of those cracks. Snake might fit thru there too. Not being critical but trying to help. I agree better safe than sorry. Again great job. Lucky chickens.

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

The cracks look like my coop...haha...the poplar has shrunk some, but the chickens enjoy being able to look all around at who ever is walking outside, the keep in touch that way! But this winter I will batten the north wall. So far nothing is over a half inch, one or two knotholes opened, and i just screwed another plank over that space. Ventilation I call it. They really do look through the spaces. since I stopped leaving the door open have had no more snakes...yet. oh hey, cheeka, you could just put the whole coop inside the run!

 

[Missa Chickabee]

You have done a great job. My only concern is the rather large cracks between the boards. Could a coon stick his paw thru those cracks? Reason I ask is I have a lot of birdhouses around here and I have had coons climb up and sit on top of the bird houses and reach thru the hole and drag out the baby birds or eggs. A piece of hardware cloth over the cracks would solve that. Just a thought you may have considered this already. Again great job.

I know a chicken farmer who lost 15 birds in one of his coops one night to a weasel who squished himself in through a one inch gap and vampired away at his birds as they are so asleep (once they are sleeping at night)

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

I agree, a one inch gap is way too big. If you have a large coop, I recommend touring a beagle through it, the dog will find even a tiny mouse trail and entrance to your feeders. Good dogs those beagles.

 

[Sallysec]

Good dogs those beagles.

Would you mind sharing that information with my dog? She doesn't get it yet....lol Although she is better than my coonhound usually.

So today we are adding the doors, would anyone be willing to show pictures of their locks? I have still been looking for something I like. Also does anyone feel like winter is worse for predators or spring? Is there a huge difference to anyone of the seasons and losing chickens? With winter fast approaching I am debating making a smaller coop closer to the house for the 'babies' until I feel they are big enough and okay in the shed...I know its crazy but now I worry. Found a hole in the garden today around 3 inches wide...urgh.

Have a great day all!

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

Wish I could post pics, but I can't. Alas. I use a sliding bolt latch, and another swivel latch on the lower edge of the door so it can't be pryed open. Summer is the worst, after all the spring nests have been raided, winter is easier...I can see what's coming...from a long way off.