Two questions related by death of first flock

[Vocjuved]

I lost 13 chicks to a predator about the same time we lost two kittens. The kittens just disappeared but the 2 mo old chicks were left dead under the coop or nearby. We have one girl left from that batch that is getting pretty big. She is almost 4 mo old now. I have made a new coop which is more secure and have 14 new chicks about 5 weeks old.

Obviously i need to make a more secure run which I am doing, but the other questions include:

1) When can I safely get new kittens for the barn? The coop is secure against predators, but I will make the run in a field adjacent to the barn and the cats will be able to climb the fence. Do I need to hot wire the bottom of the run against predators? The fence is either chain link or welded wire 6 feet tall. It is not buried.

2) How do I safely mix my one girl from the first flock and the new chicks which are now about 5-6 weeks old?

 

[Peep_Show]

You need to figure out what the predator was, first off, and then you can put up the appropriate barriers to fend them off. For instance, if your predator is a martin or mink or some form of weasel, they can get through the chain link if the mesh is large. If your predator is a raccoon, they will climb the fence.

As for mixing chickens, put a cage with the chicks inside the coop so your hen gets used to their presence.

 

[Vocjuved]

Thank you. Unfortunately, we haven't been able to determine the predator. Maybe some raccoons, but we set a trap and no takers.