I've been wanting to raise backyard chickens for years. Recently, my wife finally agreed. Now she is moe excited than I am! We started with five chicks from Cooper's Hardware in Sylmar, CA. Lovely little bits of life. "Betty" jumped into my hand from the start and has been a love....until a few days ago. A raccoon got over the 6-ft yard fence and murdered her. I'm really upset.
The coop itself came from Tractor Supply, and it is fabulous. I'm presently adding a flolding run to it --- I'll send photos when finished. I did enclose their portion of the yard with "critter fencing," but that was to give the hens "their space."
The same day the attack occurred, in the evening, we went to TS and bought another five babies. That was mainly to soothe our loss. My wife had discovered the carnage and she was hysterical when she called me. They new chicks are presently in our brooder, inside. The original, remaining four girls are clearly traumatized by the racoon attack. It will take time for them to feel brave enough to venture out of the coop again. Eventually we will introduce the babies to the original hens.
I found your site to learn how others flattened hardware cloth. Yes, it is rough to work with, but it is a better choice than either expanded metal mesh (cost) or chicken wire (durability and too big openings). One unexpected personal benefit from having chickens is that my blood pressure went down from 170 to 120! Wathcing them is so relaxing and therapeutic.
I do have a question. Would a rooster have protected the hens from the racoon? I know that the crowing could elicit complaints from our neighbors, and that could prompt investigation by Animal Control --- which I don't relish. Nevertheless, it is a thought, and replies from others would be welcome.
The coop itself came from Tractor Supply, and it is fabulous. I'm presently adding a flolding run to it --- I'll send photos when finished. I did enclose their portion of the yard with "critter fencing," but that was to give the hens "their space."
The same day the attack occurred, in the evening, we went to TS and bought another five babies. That was mainly to soothe our loss. My wife had discovered the carnage and she was hysterical when she called me. They new chicks are presently in our brooder, inside. The original, remaining four girls are clearly traumatized by the racoon attack. It will take time for them to feel brave enough to venture out of the coop again. Eventually we will introduce the babies to the original hens.
I found your site to learn how others flattened hardware cloth. Yes, it is rough to work with, but it is a better choice than either expanded metal mesh (cost) or chicken wire (durability and too big openings). One unexpected personal benefit from having chickens is that my blood pressure went down from 170 to 120! Wathcing them is so relaxing and therapeutic.
I do have a question. Would a rooster have protected the hens from the racoon? I know that the crowing could elicit complaints from our neighbors, and that could prompt investigation by Animal Control --- which I don't relish. Nevertheless, it is a thought, and replies from others would be welcome.
it's always traumatic on our hearts, remaining chickens as well.
to have you here with us. Enjoy your time here at BYC!
