For my wedding anniversary in April I asked for and recieved 3 of the most beautiful hens (Daisy, Delilah and Lily) and a rooster (The Colonel). I was in heaven. A week later I took in two rescue chickens (Lucy and Ethel). For Mother's Day I got 10 baby chicks. Can we say happy?
That is until something stole Lucy and Lily. I did tons of research and found out that even in a run they aren't safe at dusk. A day or so later I lost Delilah to the serial chicken running rampant in my backyard (which by the way is surrounded by woods). I started locking my chickens up in the coop long before the sun set and kept my baby chicks in a cage closer to the house. Two days ago my dear hubby came in with bad news. The 007 chicken assasin had mysteriously gotten into the coop and stolen the last of my chickens and left my roo dead in the coop. Babies are now back in the house.
Long story short - hubby walked up on a raccoon last night in the coop as he was headed to set out traps. He eliminated one but saw another one escape. My 14 yr old was mortified and suggested that since we killed the father that his kids might return. I giggled and informed her that raccoons were not in the mafia and vengence would not be sought. A little while later I started wondering if maybe she had a point.
Do I need to continue to set traps as a "just in case". Perhaps he does have a family, I mean hubby did see another one that got away unscathed. If so, how long should I keep setting them out? We are in the process of building a coop closer to the house, will that deter them at all? Someone suggested placing a radio in the coop to keep predators away ... any advice?
That is until something stole Lucy and Lily. I did tons of research and found out that even in a run they aren't safe at dusk. A day or so later I lost Delilah to the serial chicken running rampant in my backyard (which by the way is surrounded by woods). I started locking my chickens up in the coop long before the sun set and kept my baby chicks in a cage closer to the house. Two days ago my dear hubby came in with bad news. The 007 chicken assasin had mysteriously gotten into the coop and stolen the last of my chickens and left my roo dead in the coop. Babies are now back in the house.
Long story short - hubby walked up on a raccoon last night in the coop as he was headed to set out traps. He eliminated one but saw another one escape. My 14 yr old was mortified and suggested that since we killed the father that his kids might return. I giggled and informed her that raccoons were not in the mafia and vengence would not be sought. A little while later I started wondering if maybe she had a point.
Do I need to continue to set traps as a "just in case". Perhaps he does have a family, I mean hubby did see another one that got away unscathed. If so, how long should I keep setting them out? We are in the process of building a coop closer to the house, will that deter them at all? Someone suggested placing a radio in the coop to keep predators away ... any advice?
