I Was Warned

[WKPoor]

Well I'm still learning about what to do with the next coup. Went out today to feed the chickens and found one dead. Something dug under the fence last night. Wasn't very large critter but lethal none the less. I've electric fence around also. I was told eventurly something would dig under. Now I know the fence needs to be buried or on a concrete barier. You just can'y over fortify chickens!!!

[Don McCombs]

My daughter had the same problem with her chickens. The killer dug under the fence, killed the chicken and then drug it under the hen house. It did not consume any of the bird. My theory is that it was a weasel or a mink.

[Ron L]

Bill. It's darn near impossible to keep from losing chickens to a prediter. But, there are ways to make it more difficult for them. I've had fairly good success with the fence by bending the bottom add-on portion out about 1 1/2 ft and just slightly burying it with dirt & rocks. Critters dig into the fence. I also close the coop entrance (it's a swing down ramp) at night when they are most vulnerable and the varmits are most active. Weasels, coons and rats will easily get by the fence, so a good tight coop will help out. Also helps keep out the possums and skunks. They love chickens ..........

[Ron L]

My theory is that it was a weasel or a mink.

Don. Weasels/mink are known for that. Sometimes they kill a few and just let them lay. At least coons will eat them.

[Phillip W. Lenke]

I have a 38 ft dia aviary for wild waterfowl. we live in a 10 acre woods. I did as one of the members suggested to you . I buried 4 ft chicken wire about a foot into the ground and had the rest up from there. I put a hot wire all the way around it. Havent had a problem . I did have a flock of ringneck pheasants that a family of mink got into , they killed everything in the pen ate a couple then came back once, after that. Due to the good shooting of my oldest son 3 of the four never made it out.
PWL

[jostev]

Our friend has a similar problem with sheep, the coyotes will go under 2+/- feet of water, just to get to sheep. I hope you get your problem fixed, or just higher somebody to come over for target practice

Johnny