We live in Scottsdale (sweetwater ranch area) - have - had 6 hens in a great little hen house in back yard - today - came home at noon - and all are gone!!!! Something broke down part of the chicken wire fencing and took all of them out. Just feathers and tale ends exist. Needless to say - I've got a gamet of emotions. My husband is repairing and "beefing" up the hen yard. We're thinking that perhaps coyotes? We're a few miles from the McDowell Mountains.Anyone have any ideas? AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHhh.....so sad. My younger girls JUST started laying this week and these girls were sweet pets. WE'll replace them soon. We'd appreciate your thoughts.
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I don't have chickens but we have rabbits that we built an open fenced in area for them to run wild in. I too worried about predators getting them. I just made sure there was an area that they could hide in. Luckily my dogs keep big predators away, but then it's the dogs that we have to worry about. Chain link seems to be the way to go, I had a terrier tear right through chicken wire to get to a rabbit once, like it wasn't even there....
I would consider repairing the chicken wire you have and then maybe a 6 inches outside of that, put up chain link. Coyotes can be persistent. Also, make sure your run is covered, you are definitely in an area prone to hawks. (As are all of us really, I just saw a redtail on the power line above our chicken area yesterday)
Yes, you definetly need to cover. We most recently had a coyote get into a slot 6 inches wide that was up 14 feet that was part of the hen house. It is amazing what these coyotes can do.
I would be so embarassed to put a picture of my coup. It is one repair after another. We have had several dog and coyote mishaps. Our hen house/coop started as a former shed and has since been converted.
My husband wants to move the hen house to the inner back yard, although that puts them closure to our 4 dogs. So I don't know what we are going to do about that yet. Still up for discussion.
We currently have about 30 chickens. My husband treats them like pets too. He loves to pick up the reds and pet them - I guess cause they like it :)
thanks so much Peggy. are you saying that the coyotes climbed through a 6 inch slot and then they climbed up 14 feet high to climb into your hen house?
our hen house is covered...and we're hoping that triple layering and digging down to secure fencing and putting pavers along the possible digging edges will work. any thoughts?
Peggy > Michael and Lylah LednerFebruary 23, 2009 at 9:52pm
We figured he jumped in, and climbed out. He couldn't get the hen out through the opening, so she was eaten right there.
That sounds pretty secure. They go up, down and all around. It really is pretty amazing what they can accomplish when they are determined.
I really feel for you. We have had this happen to us several times. Since all of your chickens are gone it was probably coyotes. Dogs will just kill them and leave them for you to find. We have had this happen to.
As for beefing up your hen house be careful to not use chicken wire. Coyotes will get through that. Chicken wire keeps chickens in, but not coyotes out. We have finally resorted to chain link fence. Our chicken area literally looks like the 3rd St jail.
Best of luck with your new chickens. Coyotes really keep us on our toes.
Oh Peggy...thank you so much for responding. My husband was just out there fixing the wire, came in to read your note with us - so we'll adjust to chain link fence. It's helpful to know the most likely source. It's grievous.
Replies
I would be so embarassed to put a picture of my coup. It is one repair after another. We have had several dog and coyote mishaps. Our hen house/coop started as a former shed and has since been converted.
My husband wants to move the hen house to the inner back yard, although that puts them closure to our 4 dogs. So I don't know what we are going to do about that yet. Still up for discussion.
We currently have about 30 chickens. My husband treats them like pets too. He loves to pick up the reds and pet them - I guess cause they like it :)
Peggy
our hen house is covered...and we're hoping that triple layering and digging down to secure fencing and putting pavers along the possible digging edges will work. any thoughts?
That sounds pretty secure. They go up, down and all around. It really is pretty amazing what they can accomplish when they are determined.
Peggy
As for beefing up your hen house be careful to not use chicken wire. Coyotes will get through that. Chicken wire keeps chickens in, but not coyotes out. We have finally resorted to chain link fence. Our chicken area literally looks like the 3rd St jail.
Best of luck with your new chickens. Coyotes really keep us on our toes.
Peggy
How many hens do you have? We had six - all like pets. Do you have a picture of your hen house? Here's mine - http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2008/11/boys-chickens-and-doo-doo.html
thanks again my new friend ~ lylah