What killed my pullet?

[lauranickerson]

My chickens would free range when I was out with them, and their yard was large (well as large as it can be living in a tiny lot in town).
What the fortress was for was to keep things out at night. Most people don't realize how capable racoons and rats and things are at getting into the chickens. Any time from evening to after sun up is hunting time and the chickens need to be secure.

Agreed! This is my second time having chickens, but the first time was when I was about 12, and they all died off by the time I was in high school. We had predators constantly, like coyotes, cats, you name it. They seemed to disappear when the chickens did, so I feel that my property will have many more occupants now that I have chickens again. I'll just have to step up my game!