We lost all our girls :(

[TheChickenCameFirst]

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We always locked our girls in the coop at night. Latches all over the coop. The problem is the area along where the roof meets the side wall. There was a gap 2 or 3 inches wide. I think it is a weasel. We'll see! I'm thinking we are going to really close up all the gaps in our coop so nothing could get in, and then maybe create a yard around it as extra protection.

 

[LostGosling]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

It brings back memories of when I was 9 and my favorite little chick got killed. A bunch of weasels came in and cleaned out our coop for us, leaving 4 or 5 out of around 20. Weasels like to take heads, so that may be what got yours.

 

[sullivansteph]

I lost 2 chickens to a bobcat last week. I know that it was a bobcat because I actually SAW it circling the coop the next day. It actually pulled the chicken "through" the chain length fence. I as also upset because I had just gotten my FIRST egg that week. I have not gotten one since.

 

[SilkieMomma]

So sorry for your loss, I lost all my new babies this spring and I cried all day! I know how hard this is.

 

[TheChickenCameFirst]

It is hard! But everyday that goes by makes me just want to get going and start over! I'm sorry for all your losses as well, but it IS nice to know I'm not alone, and this happens to many who decide to have chickens! Thanks to you all! <3

 

[Chicken Ali King]

So sorry for your loss...I lost a "meatie" the day before yesterday, but still have 8 left...cannot imagine what you must be going thru...hang in there.....

 

[TheChickenCameFirst]

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Thanks!

 

[Mattemma]

Just wanted to add to be watchful during the day. I went back to my chickens around 6-7pm(then get locked up at dark close to 9pm) and there was a little possum creeping around in their area.It probably would not have hurt the chickens,but probably would steal the eggs.I thought they only came out at dark!

 

[TheChickenCameFirst]

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Oh I know it! I'm so worried sick that this thing will come back during the day. I will be sure to keep so much more of a vigilant eye on them once we get new ones. Thanks for the advice!

-edit- A spelling error!

 

[HighNDryFarm]

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I lost one to a skunk and my polish girl was really traumatized over it and wouldn't even come out of the coop without me sitting in the run. Even when everyone else was off free ranging.....her next egg didn't have a shell and she never got over it. When I could get her to get out the coop and run she'd go off by herself and within two weeks I couldn't find her...and I never did. I miss my little Dizzy Girl. I've read that after a predator scare they can stop laying for up to a year!!!!!

I've heard that bobcats will pull them through a fence like that. After losing 20 chickens in one shot and then two more after starting all over we finally spent the money and enclosed a full hardware cloth run within our run. I thought our run was safe with double fencing around the bottom and 10 ft tall I decided I need to use the hardware cloth. I plan to add it over all the run but it's about 15x50 so right now it's a 15x10 space to start. That hardware cloth is expensive!