If it just ripped the heads off it sounds like a coon and it will be back. I would suggest using a live trap.
From: "sidesaddle5@yahoo.com" <sidesaddle5@yahoo.com>
To: CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, May 31, 2013 1:05 PM
Subject: Re: [CHICKENS-101] Re: chick question
From: "sidesaddle5@yahoo.com" <sidesaddle5@yahoo.com>
To: CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, May 31, 2013 1:05 PM
Subject: Re: [CHICKENS-101] Re: chick question
I did "box" the babies down from the flying-loft (with mama growling behind me all the way!) I had made a small, movable rat-wire pen, with a large dog-crate for cover, and installed them in that, on the lawn. The other hens discovered them and lurked around, believing that the food in *there* had to be superior. Mama warned them off in no uncertain terms, from her side of the wire.
The next evening we had some severe thunderstorms--so I picked up the crate (with family inside for the night) and set it inside the coop overnight. Next morning, once the others had gone out, I opened the crate. Mama took FULL control of the coop--fortunately most of the others had already laid, because she wouldn't let anyone back in until afternoon! So it appears the chicks are safe. Today, I watched while 3 of the other hens crept respectfully back in along the wall to get to the nest-boxes today--Mama is quite formidable...
If there had still been the full complement of hens, I probably would have kept the chicks and mother in the separate pen, troublesome as it was. I guess the only thing I really have to worry about is the return of whatever predator struck last week--but I suspect whatever it was could have got into the little pen and dog crate if it really wanted to, anyway.
Fingers crossed...
Rhonda
STOP CORPORATE ABUSE--BAN ALL GMOs!
Sidesaddle Hall of Famer
The next evening we had some severe thunderstorms--so I picked up the crate (with family inside for the night) and set it inside the coop overnight. Next morning, once the others had gone out, I opened the crate. Mama took FULL control of the coop--fortunately most of the others had already laid, because she wouldn't let anyone back in until afternoon! So it appears the chicks are safe. Today, I watched while 3 of the other hens crept respectfully back in along the wall to get to the nest-boxes today--Mama is quite formidable...
If there had still been the full complement of hens, I probably would have kept the chicks and mother in the separate pen, troublesome as it was. I guess the only thing I really have to worry about is the return of whatever predator struck last week--but I suspect whatever it was could have got into the little pen and dog crate if it really wanted to, anyway.
Fingers crossed...
Rhonda
STOP CORPORATE ABUSE--BAN ALL GMOs!
Sidesaddle Hall of Famer
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