Very sad this morning

Woke up and went to feed my chickens and something killed 3 of them last night. First time something like this has happened since I have had my chickens. I didn't see anywhere anything got in so I am stumped what could have gotten to them. I have my coop really secure. It's a sad morning on my homestead.

[MadBunny]

I'm so sorry to hear what's happened - such a shock for you.Sending you hugs 🤗

[Hidden in reply to MadBunny]

I am working on a wake to keep them safer at night. There are a lot of animals who love to eat chicken around here. I just have to work out a way to really keep them safe. Thinking a wood closure for nights will work I just have to get the material to make it.

[MadBunny in reply to Hidden]

I hope you can find a solution 🤗💕

[Hidden in reply to MadBunny]

Me too. I really thought it was really secure and I cannot see anywhere anything got in.

[Dolphin14]

I'm so sorry. I can't even begin to imagine how you are feeling.

🐬

[Hidden in reply to Dolphin14]

I just caught the 3 chickens I have left and put them into a more secure area until I can figure out what to do next. I am going to have to make a wood pen to secure them at night. So, no predators can get to them.

[Dolphin14 in reply to Hidden]

Yes, a new secure space sounds like it's in order. I know you thought your other space was safe and this must be so hard to deal with.

Do you think it will take long to rig something up?

[Hidden in reply to Dolphin14]

Not really. My mom used to say I was stubborn as a mule when I got to figuring things out. I am hoping to have something set up today or tomorrow.

[Dolphin14 in reply to Hidden]

I'm sure if you put your mind to it you will come up with something

Best of luck getting your project underway

[Hidden]

Thank you. I am hoping to get a good wood closer set up today or tomorrow so that I can keep them safe at night.

[Hidden]

Thank you so much.

[Hidden]

Oh poor you, we have lost loads over the years too. It's a huge loss especially when they become so friendly with us.Wonder what got in? Usually it's "The fox" around here but one time a young badger got in during the night and it was carnage. He was still there in the morning when I opened the door to the hen house.

Also had ducks who met the same fate when still quite young.

Still got 1 old chuck though, now 7 years old and still lays occasionally. She is a true survivor of the massacres.

Hope you get it sorted and all your chickens will be safe.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I am working on getting them back in their pen. I am going to have an area for them to go in at night. Hopefully that works. Planning to get more chicks. Maybe next week. I have to make sure their pen is safe first.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Oh well done sounds like you have a good planChicks are so lovely. Once we borrowed an incubator and hatched some. Really great project for the kids...and me!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

The kids that come to my house love the baby chicks and rabbits.

[Hidden]

Dusk seems to be the dangerous time for preditors lurking nearby and I've often wondered if the badger got into the hen house before the chickens retired for the night.There was no sign of forced entry and the badger was caught red handed in the morning. Having not been able to escape.

We have a timer to shut the hen house door which adjust depending on the time of year.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

We don't have any badgers in our area. But a lot of other animals that love chickens. Not sure what got them.

[compasnet]

...so sorry. ...had a chicken for a pet when I was a child and was heartbroken when I had to give it up because it was actually a rooster that woke everyone up in the a m.ammnd woke up all the neighbors. Most people don't know how loving these birds can be.

[Hidden in reply to compasnet]

We have a lot of roosters in our area that are free to go where they want to go. Chickens really are great animals to have,

[Arymretep]

So sorry to hear that, could it be foxes maybe 🤔

[Hidden in reply to Arymretep]

We do have foxes in the area, but nothing dug into the pen even if they did, I have wire at the bottom of the pen. So, what whatever got them was really small. I checked for snakes but if they were there they are gone now.

[EndUser13]

aww poor chickens, I hate hearing about animals suffering 😑

I'm sorry Faith, good luck finding a solution!

[Hidden in reply to EndUser13]

Just got back from the store think I may have an idea that will work. At least I hope so.

[Gillyflower18]

Make sure you put chicken wire on the top too. Raccoons and possums can climb.

[Hidden in reply to Gillyflower18]

Yeah, I have wire on the top and bottom with over 1000 zip ties in it. None of the wire was disturbed which is why I am so stumped at what could have gotten them. Had to be something really small. Hopely I can make sure it is a good and safe before I get more chickens to add to what I have. Hoping to get 5 or 6 more next week.

[Against_the_current]

I'm so sorry. I remember grandparents had chickens with a really secure coop and still something was always eating them and i was so sad. Similar with rabbits untill we put the cages higher. I told them to get a dog but they don't like dogs. They stopped having animals. I know this feeling and i hope you feel better soon

[Hidden in reply to Against_the_current]

My rabbits are in a pen that is high off the ground. Thankfully I have not lost any of them. I have a few things I am working on for my chickens. Hopefully I can keep them safe at night.

[Against_the_current in reply to Hidden]

Wishing you best of luck 🤞

[bonkers65]

I'm sorry this happened.

[Hidden in reply to bonkers65]

Thank you so much.

[Frankie24]

So sorry, it is so hard to loose animals of any type. They bring such unconditional joy. They only want to be fed, watered and loved by us. Grieve for however long you need. I hope your sadness will be eased by knowing other’s care💔

[Hidden in reply to Frankie24]

Thank you.