They were slaughtered?

[one chick]

Well everybody I don't know what happened and I'm so upset I came back from visiting my family yesterday to find that my four chickens were slaughtered Three of them their heads were missing and one of them the black one was gone. My coop was totally enclosed and then I added a 15 ft run with chain link going up but not covered and my neighbors are thinking it's a raccoon that climbed up there and killed them. They tell me I can't get new chickens for a while because the raccoons will keep coming back so I'm going to wait till after our Tennessee winter and try again in the spring. I love them they were big and beautiful they followed me all around I'm very sad! It just broke my heart and had a doctor's appointment in my blood pressure was over 144! Does anybody have any suggestions how to keep them out or is it possible a chicken hawk flu into the fence area The chickens went in the enclosed area and the chicken hawk went in and took them out one by one but the fact that the heads are missing indicates it's a raccoon Am I right? Any feedback would be appreciated so love your ladies while you have them you never know day-to-day..

 

[BoundlessLove]

Sorry this happened.
You will need to close off the top and use hardware cloth around all of the chain link.

 

[jbj25]

Yes, the only way to for it to be predator prove is to enclose it completely with hardware cloth fastened well. Also a skirt around the bottom, and there is more than one way to do that.

 

[McChooky]

I agree. To keeps predators out like hawks,rats,owls,snakes, foxes, raccoons and weasels it needs 1/2" galvanized steel mesh around the sides and bottom .Predators like foxes, bob cats and coyotes can jump or climb a chain link fence and carry them off one by one.I built one out of used lumber and pallets and covered it top to bottom in hw cloth and made an apron out of the same.I've lost zero birds inside

 

[KJsHalfPintFarm]

I am so sorry! I lost one of mine last year in broad daylight to a red tail hawk in a very small uncovered free range area while I was steps away inside the house.

I was talking to a greenhouse owner who also keeps chickens and she said it sounds like a great horned owl. They've done the same thing to hers.

Again I'm so very sorry! I only had the 3 girls and after losing Fomo I worried my flock was too small so I got 4 baby chicks in June. I still miss her every day but these chicks + a hawk net over the free range area are her legacy.

 

[DLA]

I'm sorry you lost your chickens. That's tough to deal with. As other have said, a fully enclosed run with hardware cloth with a skirt to protect from predators from all angles is the best bet. The good news is you already have the fence and supports to attach to so that makes it easier. I'd use some kind of flexible durable wire to connect it all to the chain link and connect the panels over the top. Some people use zip ties but I've found that over time they will degrade and break. You'll need to add some supports for the roof sections too. If you don't leave any gaps or places a predator can pull the wire sections apart, nothing should be able to get in. They sell big rolls of hardware cloth on amazon, the 1/2 inch square, 48 inch x 100 foot roll is more than enough to do a normal size run. I've made two runs now with it and while it's not the easiest to work with this is a good quality that holds up well. https://www.amazon.com/stores/SEBOS...ef_=ast_bln&store_ref=bl_ast_dp_brandLogo_sto

 

[one chick]

I'm sorry you lost your chickens. That's tough to deal with. As other have said, a fully enclosed run with hardware cloth with a skirt to protect from predators from all angles is the best bet. The good news is you already have the fence and supports to attach to so that makes it easier. I'd use some kind of flexible durable wire to connect it all to the chain link and connect the panels over the top. Some people use zip ties but I've found that over time they will degrade and break. You'll need to add some supports for the roof sections too. If you don't leave any gaps or places a predator can pull the wire sections apart, nothing should be able to get in. They sell big rolls of hardware cloth on amazon, the 1/2 inch square, 48 inch x 100 foot roll is more than enough to do a normal size run. I've made two runs now with it and while it's not the easiest to work with this is a good quality that holds up well. https://www.amazon.com/stores/SEBOS...ef_=ast_bln&store_ref=bl_ast_dp_brandLogo_sto

Oh thank you for your valuable information I do plan on moving the coop down to my backyard and not on the hill cuz unfortunately two weeks ago I broke my hip and I'm not going to take that chance again but I'm only going to get two to start with but they will be closer to me in my backyard with an enclosed coup and fence so again thank you for your help

 

[AinaWGSD]

I am so sorry for your loss. It's heartwrenching to come home to such a scene.

Honestly, the current set up is vulnerable to pretty much all predators except maybe stray domestic dogs and cats. Raccoons are the most likely culprit, being very common in both rural and suburban/urban areas. Birds of prey usually only take one at a time.

There's nothing wrong with waiting until spring to get more chickens, but whatever got your girls isn't going to be dissuaded for long by a lack of chickens so some security updates are definitely in order.

Like everyone else has suggested, 1/2" hardware cloth is the gold standard for predator protection. That will keep out everything except mice. If cost is an issue, most people can get by with only doing the lower 3-4 feet as long as the coop is secure and chooks are locked up tight at night. That is usually enough to prevent predators from reaching through the fence and grabbing birds. In your case, you can probably get by with 1x2 wire fencing for the top. But personally I would look into a solid roof like polycarbonate, fiberglass, or metal roofing panels. Regardless of what you choose to put on top you'll want sturdy supports, otherwise wet leaves or snow could cause it to collapse.

 

[theoldchick]

So sorry. https://thehomesteadingrd.com/predator-proof-chicken-coop/

 

[The Yardbird Life]

What an absolute bummer!

We just started our 2nd backyard flock after a 10 year hiatus and now I live behind enemy lines. It's a very unusual night if we DON'T have 3-6 sets of glowing racoon eyes, or possum, or skunks looking in our bedroom patio door windows each night. I would be so deflated to lose my birds after putting in so much effort like you have.

I spent 2 months this summer of upgrading and going down the predator control 'rabbit-hole' before I even got our birds! Given that I'm in the belly of the beast here, I decided I was going to implement electrified Poultry netting. There's a cost but after going through all the effort I have in making things as right as I am capable, I'm really not willing to let that all go in a moments notice and have to start over.

I just bought the Premier 1 Solar80 with just 50' of fencing since I'm surrounding a small operation. It's the boundary of my "run" of which the coop sits in the middle. I left the fence uncharged during the final month while I had our chicks in the garage and a couple days before transitioning the girls, I energized it 24/7 when I wasn't going in and out of the area. The birds our now in and something has happened. I haven't seen a single threatening critter. I'm pretty sure they all must have done some investigating at some point and rode the lightning!



All 10,000 volts of it! I have 3 video cameras on our little compound, which btw, is covered with bird netting for the Coopers Hawk and Redtails I see transiting occasionally. I don't see ANYBODY snooping around the ladies so far...but my guard is not down.

Perhaps after you make the necessary strengthening repairs to your coop, you might consider bringing the poultry netting into the picture. Buy the good stuff and if it all doesn't work out, there's always a market out there for another Back Yard Chicken aficionado. Maybe post a few more detailed overlooking photos of your coop and surroundings to get some more real-world advice from those that have "been there" on this forum.