Heartbroken to say the least....

BirbMama92

Chirping
Mar 14, 2022
72
135
96
Iowa
This is the only place I know where I can post this and others will understand.

I started my bird journey last year after my son wanted to bring home a chick his class had hatched from school. He wasn't chosen so we went to our local Bomgaars and that's where my journey began...

Since then I have raised 40+ girls, along with ducks and two geese in the past year. Unfortunately some of the chicks I had struggled so I lost some along the way but to me it was rewarding because I gave them my whole heart and they were loved until the very end.

This spring, my neighbor killed 9 of my babies. I don't have enough evidence to press charges but I know it was him. He's the only one that hates me enough to do such emotional damage. Since then it has been nothing but hell trying to keep my babies safe.

Over the weekend a predator came into our yard and took 19 of my girls, one of my bantam roos, and my remaining guinea who's name was Bob. My husband and I made the run smaller and put a cover on in hopes to save my remaining babies.

It didn't work....

This morning my step dad shows up around 640 to pick up my kiddos; he went in the back yard and found that something had gotten in. This time it couldn't carry my girls off as there was no hole big enough for it to escape with it's catch. I found the remains of my girl, Hennifer, the one that started my whole journey; and half of my sweet girl goose. I just now realized that my bantam roo, Harold, is also no longer with us. I didn't find any parts of him, but there wasn't much to him...

I have 5 girls left, my rooster (Oreo), my young gander, and my ducks.

Why hasn't anything attempted to take my ducks? Why just my chickens and small roos?

I'm beyond devastated. I have no words to even describe how I feel. I honestly have made myself sick over this whole situation because I have tried to keep them safe, but I have failed. Failed miserably. I feel like the worst bird mom in the whole world right now.

I don't know what else to do.
 

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WIchickMama

Free Ranging
Aug 15, 2021
1,527
5,862
503
Western WI
Sorry you are having to go through all this. Like someone else indicated, if you want to post pics of your coop and/or run we can kindly offer suggestions if we see any. HUGS
 

BirbMama92

Chirping
Mar 14, 2022
72
135
96
Iowa
If I could give you a hug in person I would.
Have you looked on this forum or youtube for ways to secure the coop and run?
If you can post pictures of the coop and run maybe some fresh eyes can help to find weak spots.
Virtual hugs work just as well *hug*

I don't have a picture but i'll explain the best I can.

We are using a 12x15 shed that was on our property as the coop. We cut a hole big enough for the birds to come in and out when they please. There is a small run (it was nearly 1/4 of our yard but this has scared me so i cut it down in size) thats approx 15 feet long by 12 feet wide by 4 foot high. the bottom section is made from pallets from our work - they are the thick heavy ones not the flimsy ones - around the outside of that is fencing wire that goes approx 12-15 inches above the pallets. attached to the top of that (as the cover so covering the 15x12 top area, as a roof of sorts) is chicken wire that is wired together.

I'm at a loss honestly. I didn't think anything could get in unless its something small, like a weasel or mink. I didn't think 1 animal would drag off, kill, and eat so many birds at one time.

after work im headed to get live traps, hopefully I can catch something.
 

Penpal

Chirping
May 30, 2022
111
189
93
Can you borrow or buy a camera? The kind hunters use. You might also need a motion sensor light. You only need enough visual to see what is doing it and an idea of how it is being done. Your neighbor might have something to do with this, and if so, recorded evidence is used in court.

Chickens can not see in the dark, ducks can. Possibly your ducks move away from the danger, where as chickens just stop all action once it is dark.
 

BirbMama92

Chirping
Mar 14, 2022
72
135
96
Iowa
Sorry you are having to go through all this. Like someone else indicated, if you want to post pics of your coop and/or run we can kindly offer suggestions if we see any. HUGS
thank you *hug*

i explained the best i could in a reply above, hopefully that give you all an idea before I get a picture of it.
 

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