Where to move chicks

[BlindLemonChicken]

Even with the double layer of fencing raccoons can reach right through chicken wire. Replace that with hardware cloth or put the little coop inside the big one and add hwc to the big one too.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Move them back into the garage where it is safe, at least until you can create a predator safe area outside. Raccoons do not just come at night, they can show up any time, night or day.

Option #1 - Try to predator proof the small coop. Move the chicks back out there when this work is done. Leave them here while you do the "see but don't touch".

Option #2 - Build a safe area inside the big coop (if you have room) to house the chicks for the "see but don't touch".

Option #3 - This depends on what your main coop and run looks like, both in size and configuration. Try moving them into the main coop/run now. If I knew the size and configuration I might be able to give suggestions for this.

(they probably won't make it up the ladder to the coop)
Chicks are 8 weeks.

Unless you have Silkies, Frizzles, or some other chicken that can't fly, your 8-week-olds can probably fly up to a roost 8 feet high or more if they want to. They should easily be able to make it up a decent ladder if they want to, even a Silkie. I don't know how high they have to go but it's a matter of training then to want to get up there, not that they can't.

Good luck, this is not a pleasant place to be.

 

[chickndays]

Fortified coop and put chicks back out. There's no realistic way a raccoon can get through that hardwire, right? It's 1/2 inch if that and very durable. I checked coop over for weak points and there shouldn't be any. Wire added to ground around coop too against digging.
Chicks seem VERY interested in joining the hens but I'm still wary about putting them together. Flock of five hens were all raised from chicks together.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Hi, what's holding the hardware cloth (hwc) to the coop at the top? I can't see what fasteners have been used. The fact that the hwc seems to have ripples in it and looks loose in some sections worries me. I'm afraid a raccoon could get hold of it and yank it loose. I think you need more fasteners to make it more secure. Raccoons can be VERY determined! I'd also cover the fasteners with a length of wooden lath, a strip of wood at least an inch wide and screwed on.

 

[chickndays]

Poultry net staples on both top and bottom (3/4 inch). (A lot of them too) It has ripples, particularly on the right side in first photo because there's a fenced run side beneath it. I don't think I can pull it loose so I really hope a raccoon can't.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Staples won't hold, especially with those ripples where it can easily get a better hand hold on the wire.

You haven't mentioned your integration plan but the chicks are 8 weeks old - you're at the very tail end of being able to do early integration if you move them in with the adults now.

 

[chickndays]

Staples won't hold, especially with those ripples where it can easily get a better hand hold on the wire.

You haven't mentioned your integration plan but the chicks are 8 weeks old - you're at the very tail end of being able to do early integration if you move them in with the adults now.

So I was wrong, they're staple gun staples, not poultry net.

I didn't really have a plan yet. Last time I only had 2 hens so putting twice as many pullets was easy. This time seems harder and I can't monitor their interactions much during the day. At least one of the chicks was clearly wanting to be with the big hens (pacing the length of the run and watching them while cheeping pathetically).

 

[rosemarythyme]

I didn't really have a plan yet. Last time I only had 2 hens so putting twice as many pullets was easy. This time seems harder and I can't monitor their interactions much during the day. At least one of the chicks was clearly wanting to be with the big hens (pacing the length of the run and watching them while cheeping pathetically).

If they've been out there now for a while I'd pick a day when you have at least a half hour free, clutter up the adult run and put out a few extra feeders, and release them and see what happens. Especially since you have a known predator prowling around it'd be best to integrate ASAP.

 

[chickndays]

Thanks! I'll get to that ASAP.

 

[rosemarythyme]

And by clutter I mean anything that will help break line of sight in the run, since I can't see what's in the adult run: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/page-6#post-25037140