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When Life Hands You Raccoons

July 22, 2016 by Cassie 44 Comments

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Oh man, you guys…. I have been meaning to write this post and just had to find the time when I was in the right frame of mind and also the will to get it done.  A month ago, I told you all about the poultry swap we went to here in Western Maryland, and introduced you to our 6 new chickens, all young pullets.  We were all over the moon excited to have built the coop ourselves and to have it filled with our very own soon to be egg-laying hens.  Enamored by the varieties available, we brought home several types and quickly learned their personalities.  There were two that we especially had a soft spot for, but one hen that stole all of our hearts- Vader.  However, as unfortunate as it is, they were all just a learning experience for us in our new hobby of chicken raising.  And when life hands you raccoons, you learn… boy, do you learn.

IMG_0054

Vader

So today I am going to share with you the story of one of the worst weeks I have had in a long time…. it started out on a total high.  We had new chickens and we were all 100% excited about them.  We probably spent too much time with them, holding them, feeding them, petting them.  I was always the person to open up the coop in the morning and let them out, as I am the early bird around here.  All was going well, but Thursday morning, I opened up the coop and was shocked at what I saw.  Two of our hens were dead, and one was gone, totally eaten.  My silkie, Aunt Bee, was injured and shocked.  The three remaining hens were all traumatized- Aunt Bee, Clucky, and Vader.

I screamed and called Chris to come out there.  He handled it better than I, telling me we knew that this was a possibility when we got the chickens.  Yes, we knew- but knowing doesn’t make it any easier.  We assumed that whatever had gotten them had climbed in through the nesting boxes.  We knew that whatever it was had hand-like claws, and killed to kill, and ate only one.  Based on that information, we came to the conclusion that it was a raccoon.  A fox will swipe a hen and take it away to eat.  But coons and weasels will kill for the kill, and typically eat one.  (I have learned all of this over the course of the last month).

Thinking that our nesting boxes needed to be secured, I headed out to the hardware store that morning and got latches with carabiners to secure them.  Emmy helped me get one on each nesting box.  Problem solved!

Throughout the course of the day, Aunt Bee seemed to rally and bounce back as much as she could.  Vader had spent the entire morning snuggling with her.  It was amazing to me how sweet the chickens were to one another in the face of such trauma.  That night as I closed up the coop, I sent up a little prayer that all would be ok.  And thank goodness, Friday morning everything was OK and we thought everything would be fine.

Saturday morning, however, was another story.  I woke to terrible family news that shook me, and then walked out to open up the coop. When the door opened, I was horrified and shocked, and all I could manage to say over and over was, “It’s terrible!  Oh it’s terrible!”  Again, one chicken had been eaten, and two were left for dead.

We investigated the coop and discovered that the raccoon had been creeping in under the eaves of the roof, in the ventilation gap that was supposed to be there according to the coop plans.  We decided to take a week off and then address it and start over.

In the wake of all these events and the bad news we’d received, I became highly creative…. I can’t even tell you how many little crafty projects Emmy and I did.  We spent time together as a family, going out to dinner and the movies, and just being together.  So while it was all a horrible week, I am so thankful to have the support of friends and family who kept me busy and positive.

So now that leads me to where we are today… I had shared my sad chicken news on facebook and it turned out that a friend of mine had a cousin who had ordered too many chicks, and had 5 hens she needed to get rid of.  We made plans to purchase them and picked them up a couple weeks ago.  Before we were scheduled to get them, I spent a hot and steamy Saturday morning in the coop stapling up steel mesh to cover the ventilation gap.  I tested it out from the outside by pushing on it as a raccoon might and was satisfied with my work.  Of course I knew the real test would come soon enough.  Oh, and we also added a little door security.  It’s like chicken prison- no one’s getting in, but no one’s getting out either.Chicken Coop DoorI am happy to report that our new hens are free-ranging their hearts out, eating bugs, feed, and all the scraps we toss them.  They’re well adjusted and friendly.  Emmy named two of them this time, Patches & Friendly; Sawyer named Leia & Ray, and I named Chewy (she’s a little more golden than the others.)  They’re all classic red hens….

IMG_9097Of course, now I have a much harder time telling them all apart.  When I open the coop on the morning, I generally let out a “Good morning, ladies!” since I don’t always know who’s who.Classic Hen

Classic HenWe have a window box liner that we dump scraps in for them, and they love to much on watermelon, corn, bread, and more.  We’ve discovered that pizza is their favorite though- smart birds!Feeding at Window Box Liner for scraps

Their feed is in a bucket which has a hole they stick their dead in to eat.  It cracks me up… I mean, this is a hen after my own heart.  Just stick your face right in there and get every last morsel!

Hen feeding at bucketWe know that with chickens comes the risk of predators, but we are going to keep doing the best we can to keep these girls safe.  We are also headed back to another poultry swap in a couple weeks and plan to add to our chicken family now that we feel more secure and confident.

Anyhow, I felt that I owed you all an update on what’ been going on here since so many of you were excited right along with me.  And then of course there hadn’t been any mention of the chickens in a while.  Like I said, this was all a learning experience for us.  I am just sad that we had to lose such sweet hens in the process of our education.  But we’re moving onward and upward, and when life hands you coons, you show those coons who rules the roost.

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Comments

  1. Vicki says

    July 22, 2016 at 8:19 am

    I suspect your life challenges of the last couple of years has given you your awesome rule the roost attitude to deal with such a sad situation! While really sad I am glad to hear how the chickens are adding to the great things you do to bring new experiences to your children. Through this and so many other things you do with them, they are getting an education way beyond their schools. They are very blessed. So happy you have a new crew of hens now. They are lovely! Those coons ave no idea who they are messing with!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      July 22, 2016 at 10:18 am

      aaaw, vicki, thank you so much for that!!!

      Reply
  2. Brynne | The Gathered Home says

    July 22, 2016 at 9:59 am

    You go girl! I’m so glad you were able to start again – and I’m so sorry for how awful that week was! Here’s wishing your chickens health and safety!!!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      July 22, 2016 at 10:17 am

      thank you, brynne!

      Reply
  3. Haley says

    July 22, 2016 at 10:03 am

    You already told me this happened, but it’s still so sad to hear the whole story. I’m so sorry. I’m glad you’ve been able to fix up the coop and get some more chickens in there. Can your kids tell the difference? Or do you all just call them whatever name comes to mind first?

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      July 22, 2016 at 10:17 am

      i just say “hey, ladies!” but emmy seems to know who is who. 😉

      Reply
  4. Mel says

    July 22, 2016 at 10:09 am

    I’m sorry you’ve had such a rough time lately. Sooner or later, we all lose a bird, or birds, to a predator. It stinks, and it’s inevitably the beloved pet with the most personality that they take. I can’t tell for sure from the photos, but if that is 2×4 wire on the chicken run, you might want to consider adding a layer of at least chicken wire (hardware cloth would be better, but it costs a good deal more) over it. The 2×4 stuff is strong, but things like black snakes and weasels can still go through it, and one eats your eggs, the other will kill your chickens. I just lost a batch of ducklings to a black snake that came through the 2×4 stuff. I knew better than to go without the additional wire over it, but when nothing bothered the adult ducks, I forgot to take that additional step.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      July 22, 2016 at 10:17 am

      thank you, mel!!! we used 1 x 1/2″ so hopefully we will be ok at least for a while! it really is inevitable but it doesn’t make it any easier, does it.

      Reply
  5. Shawn says

    July 22, 2016 at 10:15 am

    Cassie, did you read the Rooms for Rent blog about their new chickens?

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      July 22, 2016 at 10:33 am

      yes, i did see it!

      Reply
  6. Jenny says

    July 22, 2016 at 10:29 am

    Just so you know, a neighbor here on Braddock had trouble with raccoons coming in thru their “doggie door” even when the door was latched. Raccoons are smart and can manipulate most anything. You may have to get a lock with a key like they did. They trapped 40! raccoons in their yard. 40! They’re prolific too! Good luck with your new chickens and don’t underestimate the raccoons.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      July 22, 2016 at 10:33 am

      40- that is NUTS! we don’t have a doggy door thankfully! yeah- we put on these laches that twist and have carabiners now, but can be padlocked if needed. we are not messing around. 😉 thank you- i certainly won’t underestimate them. GGRR.

      Reply
  7. Emy says

    July 22, 2016 at 11:33 am

    I was so sad to hear about your first group of chickens. Hopefully these survive. When is the next poultry swap? I would love to go! I loved your pictures of the baby animals.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      July 22, 2016 at 7:21 pm

      i was so sick about it! the next swap is aug 13! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Emily @ 11gables.blogspot.com says

    July 22, 2016 at 1:34 pm

    So happy the new hens are settling in nicely! I hope you get some eggs soon!! xox

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      July 22, 2016 at 7:21 pm

      me, too!!! get to work, ladies!

      Reply
  9. Katelyn W says

    July 22, 2016 at 2:29 pm

    I feel so naive saying this but it never would have occurred to me that there might be predators coming after the chickens! I guess that sounds like a Laura Ingalls Wilder novel and not something that actually happens (duh!). I’m so sorry to hear that happened. Good for you and Chris getting back with it and showing your kids how to deal with something like that. A good life lesson for sure!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      July 22, 2016 at 7:21 pm

      oh it’s crazy how many potential predators there are- hawks, foxes, bears, raccoons, weasels, snakes… so many! more than i ever thought!

      Reply
  10. dawn in normal says

    July 22, 2016 at 9:22 pm

    You might want to lay a layer of wire under the coop in the dirt as well since raccoons and other predators can dig under if their usual route in inside is not available.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      July 25, 2016 at 8:44 am

      thank you, dawn! our coop is actually up off the ground with a solid wood floor so nothing can get in that way- and they free range in the fenced yard. it’s a huge space so too big to dig all the way around to put it in the ground, but most of our predators come at night. at least i hope!

      Reply
  11. [email protected] Sweet Tea N' Salty Air says

    July 22, 2016 at 11:53 pm

    So sorry about your situation, I also have have endured some sadness….we had ducks and one night I just had a feeling something was not right so I went out to check and a possum had gotten a white duck that was sitting on her eggs he ripped open her neck and killed her and took all the eggs. Even though this is all a nature command I don’t think I will get use to it ever. We live only a couple of miles from the Everglades so we are always rallying them all away. The worst predator is the coyote he will go for family pets. [email protected] Sweet Tea N’ Salty Air

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      July 25, 2016 at 8:45 am

      oh that is so terrible! i am with you- i know it’s natural, but it still just hurts my heart.

      Reply
  12. [email protected] says

    July 24, 2016 at 3:09 am

    So glad that these little girls are safe now and I hope they remain that way too.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      July 25, 2016 at 8:46 am

      oh me, too!

      Reply
  13. Kirby says

    July 24, 2016 at 8:54 pm

    Remember you are braver than you believe and stronger than you seem!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      July 25, 2016 at 8:46 am

      i hope i am!

      Reply
  14. Arielle | Scotch and Nonsense says

    July 25, 2016 at 8:54 pm

    I’m so happy to see this update! Thinking of you all!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      July 28, 2016 at 11:06 am

      thank you, arielle!

      Reply
  15. Shelley | Crazy Wonderful says

    July 25, 2016 at 10:23 pm

    Oh Cassie. I am so, so sorry. I can’t even imagine. So happy to hear the new crew is happy and safe. Damn raccoons.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      July 28, 2016 at 11:05 am

      thank you, shelley- me, too!

      Reply
  16. Maggie @ Maggie Overby Studios says

    July 26, 2016 at 6:22 am

    Poor little chickadees. Hopefully you have your problem solved. My sister has chickens in the city and still has predator problems. Hawks, neighborhood cats, racoons, those little chicks are always vulnerable. She has added a full enclosure around her coup as a double defense to an already fenced yard but those critters are resourceful. You figure one thing out and they come up with something else. Good luck on round two!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      July 28, 2016 at 11:05 am

      our yard has trees all around and now a trampoline for shelter, too, so hoping we won’t need more enclosures!

      Reply
  17. Sarah @ Sarah Bridger Design says

    July 26, 2016 at 9:24 am

    What I’m hearing is that you need a fourth dog–a coonhound, perhaps? 🙂 I’m glad you guys have figured out a way to keep your new ladies safe!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      July 28, 2016 at 11:03 am

      oh gosh the last thing i need is a fourth dog right now, but maybe a trade-in. 😉

      Reply
  18. [email protected] says

    July 26, 2016 at 2:39 pm

    Such a sad story! I’m glad you were able to figure out where the little monster was getting in, though, and that your new girls are doing well. Dave and I used to have an inside joke where we would tell each other, “paper beats chicken,” because it’s just crazy and heartbreaking how many things can do them in! That said, we had really good luck with our flock and predators leaving them alone, so here’s hoping you’re past the rough part of life with chickens now!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      July 28, 2016 at 11:00 am

      thank you- me, too!

      Reply
  19. [email protected] says

    August 1, 2016 at 2:51 pm

    I’m so sorry you had to go through that. So sad! But I’m glad you are rallying back. I’m learning so much from your chicken posts – I’d love to try it someday.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      August 2, 2016 at 11:18 am

      it was awful, kim, but it really is just part of our process, i know. and now these girls are doing well and we are up to about 3 eggs a day which i am sure will soon be 5 once all of them are laying.

      Reply
  20. Charlotte says

    August 11, 2016 at 11:07 pm

    Your pictures are great! Your posts are too. We’ve been to two of the chicken swaps. I lost my sweet French Black Copper Maran to something but all the others are fine, just no eggs yet. I have some pics of our coop on my blog.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      August 12, 2016 at 11:49 am

      i was all set to go again tomorrow but they changed the date to 9/3… so i will be going then! can’t wait!!!!! i am so sorry about your loss, too- UGH do i know the feeling. i get attached too easily… i know this!

      Reply
      • Charlotte says

        August 12, 2016 at 11:56 am

        We will be there too. I am planning to get another 1 or 2 French copper marans to replace the one that was killed. I am hoping to get a colorful egg basket. Wouldn’t mind an olive egger or weld unmet either. So many chicken varieties and not enough coop!

        Reply
      • Charlotte says

        August 12, 2016 at 1:20 pm

        We will be there too. I am planning to get another 1 or 2 French copper marans to replace the one that was killed. I am hoping to get a colorful egg basket. Wouldn’t mind an olive egger or welsummer either. So many chicken varieties and not enough coop!

        Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Welcome to My New Blog! - Cassie Bustamante says:
    September 2, 2016 at 5:10 am

    […] family is headed back to the poultry swap, and I have grand plans to replace my silkie.  I sure do miss my beautiful Aunt Bee; and we all miss Vader, so another Rhode Island Red is on the agenda!What have you got planned? […]

    Reply
  2. Eclectic Christmas Tour Part 2 - Cassie Bustamante says:
    December 7, 2016 at 8:24 am

    […] decor!  Also, you might notice that this coop locks up tighter than Fort Knox, but we’ve had predator issues, and we like to keep our hens safe and happy.In front of the coop, outside of the gate, sits a panel […]

    Reply

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Hi, I’m Cassie!

I believe that you don't have to spend a lot of money to live a beautiful life and be your best self.  Here you will find budget friendly ideas to live happily, healthily, sustainably, and most importantly authentically.  We all get one chance at this life, and this ordinary girl plans to make hers extraordinary. How about you? Read more...
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Hi! I'm Cassie.

Mother, wife, shop owner, blogger, writer, incurable diy-er, furniture painter, coffee and wine drinker, friend. Seeking happiness and passing it on. Read More…

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