The saddest day so far with chickens

[Kyhen]

 

[deerman]

Sorry, sounds like family of raccoons. As you are working on your pen, get a trap and start removing the raccoons. Then get more chickens.

Having chicken in some area, you will have to keep defends up. Predators will wait for the time or weak spot to get the birds. Next to Dogs coons kill more , just read all the post in this section.

 

[7L Farm]

I haven't had my chickens very long & after joining this forum. I realized all the mistakes I made when I built my coop. I went back & spent many hours re- doing my coop & constantly asking BYC stupid ? but they put up with me & my coop is safer than before. What I'm trying to say is we all learn from our mistakes. I have thought about what I'd do if I lost my chicks & pretty much felt like you . But deep inside I don't wanna be a quitter so I would fixes the coop & get more chicks & roll on. I pray every night that nothing gets my chicks. Guess you never know. Time heals all. Good luck & let us no how many & the breed you choose. LOL.

 

[Schultz]

Oh gosh! So sorry!

I can't imagine having that happen. I think the predator in question here is not a raccoon however. Raccoons don't just eat heads and usually they will eat the whole thing and not kill the whole flock. I was reading about this same thing happening to someone else here just this week. Read through this and see if it doesn't help you.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=396499

 

[tallyho]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Sadly I know of a local family this happened to as well. They lost thier entire flock over a few nights. After some research they figured it was probably something in the weasel family and most likely a mink. They bite the heads off and drink the blood. They had a run made of chicken wire which as you know has pretty big holes. They rebuilt the coop and used hardware cloth and are now closing the hen house door at night, even with a completely enclosed run.

I also don't think it was a 'coon. They will eat the whole thing. We lost one to a 'coon and it got up under the deck with it's catch. My husband was trying to get the 'coon out all the while he could hear the beast crunching up the chicken.

Go get some more chicks or hatch them yourself, now is great time. It coming winter and egg production slows anyway. By the time your new babies grow over the winter, they'll be ready to lay in the spring.

 

[BirdNut]

Billy, I'm so sorry this happened to you. What a horrible experience!

Don't let this prevent you from buying more birds. You need to trap those varmits, and I would recommend you by more chickens to fill the hole this all left. Take however long that you need to recover from this, but I think replenishing your flock will help. If anyone says "but, they're just chickens...", they need to be slapped upside the head. I understand that they bcome your babies, not just pets.

Best wishes!

 

[deerman]

Reason I think raccoons , a family not just one, they will eat the best part ,move to another, and a mommy coon and 6 almost grown young could kill 20 chickens.

I lost 10 game hens that were setting on eggs all one night, yes i caught them in the act. mother and 5 young.

 

[geebs]

Om Gosh.... you poor thing... I am sooo sorry.... I would still try to catch the bugger that did it...

After you grieve... lets make a plan for a fox proof henhouse... Till then I will share mine with you... Hugs... let me know when you are going to take a run at it agian and I will ship you eggies.

 

[Billyj]

I want to thank everyone for the encouraging words. I know I will get more chickens, the question is when. I have checked and rechecked the coop to see where they were getting in, but I do not see anywhere that it could be. Next paycheck I am going to buy the hardware cloth, extra nails, and more shells for my shotgun. (HEHE) I will start again, and like someone said now is the time to do it. They will be readdy to lay when the weather gets warmer and that is good with me. Again thanks for the nice words. I am now and will be forever more a chicken parent.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Good for you BillyJ!