Very good unknown preadator

[speckledhen]

Yes it's a pen. It's a combination of hogwire and wood and we lock the door at night with multiple carabiners. I'm afraid the hogwire isn't good enough and something is getting through. We just have no idea where the predator is getting in, and it's frustrating. I've checked everywhere and I can't find a point of entry. if It's a rat or a weasle we're in trouble because they'll fit through small holes.

We've been wanting to build a real "coop" for awhile, and tomorrow we're going to the lumberyard and we'll build them a real chicken house with four solid wood walls and an impenetrable roof. Our friend just tore down a building on his business property and we took a solid wood door from him. I just wish we had done this before the chickens died. My fault completely.

Anyway, I hope they can get through one more night. We're building them a more solid place tomorrow.

I hope so, too. Sounds like you are on the right path. There are so many coops on here with construction photos, including my own original 8x8 coop (called the Clutch Hutch), that you can get lots of ideas on predator proofing. Nothing has ever gotten into our coops, no predator losses. The pens are not covered except for the bantam coop, but I have lots of tree cover and roosters who are always watching the skies. No matter what, they are all locked up safe and sound before dusk every evening.

 

[blinkk]

I hope so, too. Sounds like you are on the right path. There are so many coops on here with construction photos, including my own original 8x8 coop (called the Clutch Hutch), that you can get lots of ideas on predator proofing. Nothing has ever gotten into our coops, no predator losses. The pens are not covered except for the bantam coop, but I have lots of tree cover and roosters who are always watching the skies. No matter what, they are all locked up safe and sound before dusk every evening.

Can you link me to the pics of your coop? We have a structure in mind, but we're flexible too. If we see a good idea at the last minute, we've got no problem adding new ideas in. Show us your coop before we make a run to the lumber yard!

 

[speckledhen]

Can you link me to the pics of your coop? We have a structure in mind, but we're flexible too. If we see a good idea at the last minute, we've got no problem adding new ideas in. Show us your coop before we make a run to the lumber yard!

Here is the link to the article about my original coop with pages of construction photos, however, there are many pages of coops on BYC that you can glean ideas from. We have since added a 12' section so now, it is 8x20. https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-clutch-hutch-chicken-coop

The coop pages link: https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/2/Coops My 8x8 is in the Large Coop section, but there are many larger and smaller that might work. As long as you have a minimum square footage for ease of cleaning and plenty of ventilation (hardware wire covered, of course), you can build just about any design.

 

[rancher hicks]

Lost all of our baby chicks this month. That made us all very sad. We caught the possum that was eating them, but another predator was coming around and we lost the last of the chicks last week. This morning, two adults are simply missing. No feathers, no signs of attack. I've looked everywhere for the bodies but can't find them.

I have no idea what's getting at our chickens. I'm so stressed out in trying to figure out what to do. Short of bringing all the birds inside at night, I'm at a loss of how to help them. We're fortifying the coop today, but I'm still worried. Whatever this predator is, it's very good. Left a trap out for a week straight and it never fell for it. I can't tell what this predator is, and that makes it harder to defend against.

Two questions.

One do you have pics of your coop?

Two do you have pics of your trap? I'll explain after you post pics.

Either way I am sorry for your loss.