They are all dead

We can't even eat them because they were attacked (rabies, etc).
All I can do is learn a lesson and move forward.
0:00 Discussion of the event
1:54 Safety features of the coop design
6:32 footage when I found the culprit
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[@debbiehenri345]

Sorry to hear about this - and it's one the pitfalls of human nature that even if we bring in one or two animals for the purpose of food, we tend to make 'pets' of them, becoming too emotionally attached. A farmer friend told me - never, ever name them. Treat them well, look after them, but always look at them only in terms of pounds, shillings and pence. I remember friends of mine making what they thought was a more than adequate coop for their dozen white ducks. These ducks were just beautiful - then one day my friends turned up to feed them. All dead. It seemed that foxes had deliberately circled the coop, making little sounds to rouse the curiosity of the ducks, and intrigued, the silly ducks stuck their heads 'through' the wire mesh to have a better look - whereupon the foxes bit their heads off, every one. It was upsetting for my friends (who raised the ducks for their eggs), and it was incredibly wasteful. The amount of 'food' the foxes gained was pitifully small, just a dozen heads. Second time around, they put a second layer of wire mesh over the top to stop their next flock from putting their heads through. I have contemplated buying hens a couple of times this year, but we have feral mink here in the UK now, thanks to a short-lived fashion for mink farming. They are not native and are a destructive, invasive species. I have seen one in my garden (very friendly, it stayed for a couple of days, trotting around our feet), and seen another some years later by the nearby river. So I know they're still about. My husband used to keep ferrets, and he knows all about the 'determined' nature of this family of animals.

[@CanadianPermacultureLegacy]

Indeed. In this video there are a few cuts, ajd it was a discussion on this that I ended up editing out, because I was concerned people would feel it's cold in a video about their deaths. I did truly end up living these birds, even though I was adamant about keeping distance from them emotionally, trying not to name them, etc. I keep telling myself that even if/when I had to cull them, they still lived a million time better life than if I didn't have them and support industrial eggs or meat. I think a lot of people think its cruel to eat "your pets", but then have no problems going to the store to buy chicken in a package without having any clue about what life that animal had. So then often people turn to veganism, but then unknowingly support monoculture crop farming that is destroying the insect biome (and thus humanity itself). It's truly rare that people are actual ethical consumers. And what's that saying, there is no ethical consumption under capitalism. We live in a quagmire of ethics, and often jump to attacking others, when we make just as compromising decisions. It's so hard to be aware of all these things, sometimes I wish I was still ignorant and clueless about it all 😆 🤣 😂

[@chrisgewirtz5875]

Honestly, I would think the opposite: if you're more emotionally attached to the animals, you're going to go farther to protect them. And what's the real cost demonstrated here by being emotionally attached to them? There is the emotional cost, grief, which is real, but otherwise I don't think caring for them did any harm here. I know you didn't mean anything by it, and/or it may have just been a side comment, but personally I think the emotional attachments we form with our animals and our food are really important. Those emotional attachments are what separate a chicken you are taking care of from a nameless factory farmed chicken body you buy at the supermarket. And I am convinced that emotional detachment is one major ingredient for the catastrophe of suffering, illness, and ecological collapse that is our industrialized relationship with food, animals, nature. Would be be able to set up such a system that is horrible for chickens and humans and the rest of life if we allowed ourselves more room to form emotional attachments? I suppose not.

[@mmraike]

@@CanadianPermacultureLegacy I decided to share my thoughts since you mentioned vegan /vegetarianism. I've been vegan for over a decade, but I am not "preachy" about it. On occasion, I'll share the information I've gathered.: The unwitting support of damaging monoculture is far less with a vegan diet. The sheer volume of monocrops (and water) used to feed livestock dwarfs that which supports a vegan diet. I'm aware of methods such as silvo pasturing and the claims around carbon sequestration. Rewilding land and letting deer and caribou do the job would be far better in every way. It is natural for us to form emotional bonds with the animals in our care. That's why we have to use mental strategies in an attempt to quash this natural tendency. If someone wants to eat eggs, they can probably have both the relationships and the food. The incidents with the predators are unfortunate learning experiences. I empathize. However, the best available balance of evidence indicates that a healthy vegan diet is in fact the best one for human beings at every stage of life. I know there's a lot of conflicting messages out there, so I stick to the data. I originally became vegan for ethical reasons. I also had a tendency to worry about possible future ailments (before and after going vegan). I began researching and discovered the work of Dr. Michael Greger. He's only interested in the facts, not opinions. I've enjoyed excellent health ever since. Back to the topic of crops, I admit that I'm fortunate. I also live in Ontario and have a farmshare with some friends. For about $500, I get a whole season's worth of organically grown, permaculture crops. In summer, eat, cook and freeze and usually have plenty right up until the next spring. I told my friends about your KZbin chanel btw. Their website is: indiancreekorchard.ca/

[@sjoerdmhh]

​@marinamayraike6197 agree that a vegan diet is actually less likely to support monocultures (the most important crop for animal feed where I live is imported soy). I guess @CanadianPermacultureLegacy meant that every person has some behaviours that have a negative impact on the environment, vegans too. I do think that being vegan is one of the largest contributions you can do, if only because of the enormous inefficiency of animal products in general (perhaps with the exception of a "backyard chicken"). Anyway, it must be really sad to see all those dead chickens, so sorry to hear that!

[@uc3119]

I INCREDIBLY DISAGREE!!! it's a TERRIBLE world to think of these living, loving, feeling creatures as PENCE. Sure it saves your feelings... but you deny everything decent that every child knows. YES YOU AN EAT YOUR ANIMALS and LOVE THEM TOO. You give them a heavenly life, kill them quickly and painlessly, and honor and respect them throughout. But to think of them as simply MONEY is denying everything beautiful, true and good in the human spirit, and perpetrates horror upon the most innocent and beautiful of creatures.

[@CorvidFriend]

You did everything possible to protect your girls. That gap will be plugged and your next flock will be safe. It also helped the rest of us to check our coops and runs for any access points, no matter how small. I’m sorry you lost your girls, but the video has helped many other chickens. Thank you.

[@arnik100]

Sorry this happened. You have a commendable attitude in turning this into a learning opportunity for yourself and us, the audience, as well.

[@CanadianPermacultureLegacy]

Thank you :)

[@chapteroona]

I’m so very sorry for the loss of your girls . We lost our Ruby duck to a daytime fox last year. We try our best with our feathered friends, when predators happen we learn , heal and rebuild. Best wishes to you

[@shanemillard608]

I'm sorry man. I remember vividly the day I walked out to my coop and a mink had killed a bunch of our chickens and wounded some others. I didn't know what it was initially and we end up losing more. It's such a terrible experience. I had to overhaul my coop to seal it up. Take care. You're not alone and others are here for help and encouragement.

[@donnavorce8856]

So sorry to hear about this. My girls have been attacked by loose dogs owned by completely irresponsible people. I've lost 6 over a decade. Only ONE owner ever came over and apologized. They were re-homing the dog as well. Now my hens are in a large run unless I'm close by in the garden. Night time it's fort knox in a solid box.

[@jend3457]

How awful. I am heartbroken for you all. Glad you were able to catch him leaving so you could figure out the mystery of how he made it in and address that weakness for your next flock.

[@melanieroscoe5720]

Oh Keith, I am so so sorry. I know this feeling too well, we lost chickens to raccoons when we were in Toronto. Your coop seems to be otherwise so well built, I was impressed when I saw it in the spring. You absolutely went above and beyond to give them a secure home. I hope you’ll give feedback to the carpenter so they don’t repeat this error. Sending condolences and big virtual hugs. ❤❤

[@useupwearout5029]

Decades of experience here....with MANY losses along the way. (Holes appear where you didn't know they could exist.) Your comment "It sucks to be born a delicious creature...especially such a lovable delicious creature." Is SO TRUE! I think I'll have to write that down. I have loved my girls over the years, and most of my roosters too....we still talk of "Floyd"....a rooster from 10 years ago. I hope you don't give up, ..but accept that it is a part of living from the land. Eggs and milk are the "humane" and still, we have to deal with the passing of fellow creatures. So sorry .... I know your pain. The first is the most difficult.

[@ttontsaa]

So sorry for what happened😢 It's always tough loosing a loved pet not to mention several at the same time😞

[@Cyssane]

Oh I'm so sorry this happened! I've never kept chickens but when I was growing up, my family kept a pair of Embden geese. We raised them from goslings, and they really were pets, although we happily ate their eggs as well. We never had any issues taking their eggs from the nest because they considered us family, and I was doing it by myself from the time I was around 11 or 12. We just let them run around in on our yard most of the time after they were grown (except overnight), because not many predators will tackle a fully grown goose! They'd eat from our hand and let us pet them, and they had ways of showing affection to us as well, like gently rubbing their heads on our arms like a cat who wants to be stroked. They'd even swim with us in the lake if we brought them there, although most of the time they were happy swimming in our pond. If anything had happened to them we would've been absolutely devastated! I once read somewhere that if you raise baby chicks with goslings, the goslings will grow to accept them as family, and once they're all grown then the geese will become flock guardians and drive off predators that might take the chickens. I can absolutely believe it because geese make amazing watchdogs, and anyone who's ever gotten a bit too close to a wild Canada goose knows how protective they can be!

[@bjenkins0344]

I have tears as I watch with one of my "girls" on my lap. Because of your post, we are double-checking our coop. You will save many chickens by posting this.

[@CanadianPermacultureLegacy]

Awww thank you, that's exactly my hope.

[@kevinschmidt4903]

Sorry to hear Keith. We lost Annika and Rosie, our Chicken pets as well. Our daughter was heartbroken. I felt guilty for failing to protect them. We also decided to take the winter off and started over again this spring. Our new girls are spoiled beyond belief. I cut them fresh kale, hairy vetch, dandelion, cloverleaf, tomatoes, and raspberries every morning. In return, they give us beautiful, fresh eggs. It's a wonderful partnership. Remember your girls lived an ideal, rich life for as long as it lasted. Most other chickens should be so lucky.

[@sigridkingma961]

Hi Kevin, it's very nice of you to spoil your chickens with different greens from the garden. I like to do this as well. Just beware that plants from the nightshade family are toxic to chickens. This includes potatoes and tomatoes. They will probably not eat it and just turn it into compost, but I think it's safer to not give it to them at all. I wanted you to know that, since you mentioned giving them tomatoes.

[@CanadianPermacultureLegacy]

Ripe tomatoes are fine. Unripe tomatoes are not. The leaves are not.

[@sigridkingma961]

@@CanadianPermacultureLegacy I didn't know that, thanks. Sorry for your loss.

[@BarnBootsandCountryRoots]

That is horrible. I’m really sorry. We had a similar thing happen last year, remember? We lined the whole coop floor, put the wire out from the coop under gravel, and thought it was safe and protected. We were so careful, but it turned out a raccoon was able to pull apart a small corner of the roof and it killed 17 of our 3 month old chickens. It was absolutely heartbreaking and devastating. We are so attached to our birds and the way they lost their lives was hard to sit with… but it is like you said, it is something you have learned from and will be able to fix moving forward, as well as possibly helping viewers re-evaluate their own coops and hopefully help them avoid a similar attack. Thinking of you guys 😢.

[@ayelean9397]

This happened to my in laws too. It was devastating. It is SO hard to protect your chickens!! Hang in there ❤

[@vanessal1893]

I am so sorry the chickens passed. I’m amazed at the precautions you took and have detailed in this video. It’s not your fault, thank you for sharing this news with us.

[@judifarrington9461]

I am so sorry for the loss of your birds. I'm glad you found out how he got in. Thanks for sharing with us.

[@dawnteskey3259]

I'm so sorry this happened to your flock. We had a similar experience when a skunk got into one of our coops one night and killed about half our flock residing in there during the night. A very horrible experience for sure and we learned from it. It looks like you did a great job in planning to protect them, but as you said, everything loves chicken and many predators have all night to figure out a way in. 😢

[@ThomiBMcIntyre]

Man, that is so hard. We had a similar event last month with a young skunk. We have tried all kinds of things over the years, and it looks like you did everything right. We decided enough is enough, no more birds 😢 Hugs for your loss!

[@jagmeetbrar2866]

Sorry to hear brother, but keep at it! Some lessons are just more painful than others.

[@elitracewell3385]

I’ve been following your channel for a while. So sorry for what happened. I’m sure that’s heavy, and we all appreciate you letting us know.

[@deannaczernon3826]

Thank you for sharing your sorrow with us. I've thought about keeping chickens but the thought of not being able to protect them stopped me from going ahead. After seeing all the efforts you put into keeping your friends safe I now the steps i will have to take. Thank for sharing and my sincere condolences the loss of your flock.

[@CanadianPermacultureLegacy]

This is what I was hoping this video would do.. help others think of anything they can to avoid this.

[@AkadiLife]

Sorry for your loss, it’s a nice reminder to be vigilant with the predators 😢

[@farmlifewithmrsp]

Really sorry that you went through this, and you know that you’re not alone. So many of us on here have lost animals (we lost half our flock this year) it sucks, but we just continue to do better as we can 👍

[@alexandreverhoef7420]

I feel you. It’s been 3 summers in a row that mines get eaten. I fix the enclosure every year thinking that they will be fine but the raccoons always find a way in. Can’t blame them, they are smart animals. I hope that will not discourage you from getting more. Cheers

[@tiarianamanna973]

Im so grateful we dont have raccoons (in finland) 😱 though minks n such are a real thing here as well.. wish you super powers for finding the way to keep the chickens safe 🙏

[@LittleOwlHomeschool]

My heart is broken for you. You truly did everything possible. I’d never imagine a small gap like that would allow any animal in. But now I know to make sure in any coops we build to double check. Appreciate your honesty and praying you find peace in the aftermath of loosing your girls. 💔

[@RenAtkins]

I'm so sorry. This happened to us in February - a fox took them all, after 8 years of them living in what we thought was a very secure coop and run, quite similar to yours. We felt so guilty, and the task of burying them all was horrible and something we will never forget. I know exactly how you feel about imagining their last moments. It's tough.

[@lwjenson]

I'm so sorry you lost your chickens! It's amazing how small of a hole they were able to get through! I never would have thought that could be an access point. I will definitely look for that when I get chickens!

[@lindabissett4432]

So sorry for your loss. I lost 3 pet ducks last year to a predator. I know how hard it is to lose them. Looking forward to spring and new chicks ❤

[@ChopChic1]

I'm so sorry. Thank you for making this video though, we are about to get chickens and you helped me realize how important it is that EVERY little hole is sealed. I think you did a great job, probably more than most would do by putting that skirt around the bottom.

[@sharonknorr1106]

This is so sad. Everyone I know with chickens has this happen at least once, even when, like you, they were being so conscientious about keeping their coops as safe a possible. It is amazing how small a gap things like minks and weasels can get through.

[@talesofabeautifullife1470]

I am sorry you lost your flock. Thank you for sharing the bad, along with the good. I look forward to seeing the new chickens.

[@NickBurgoyne]

So very sorry for your loss. I was just telling my wife a couple of days ago that we should get chickens after watching your video where you suggested they could be a valuable first addition to a permaculture operation. You really did everything possible to secure their home 🙏

[@trumpetingangel]

So, so sorry for your loss! I lost my chickens this summer, too. I have two new pullets (I did get three, but…) and I’m continuing to fortify the run (the coop is safe). Sometimes it seems like you can’t do enough. It’s painful, but it’s a continuing battle with the hungry predators. I

[@jbow68]

So sorry. We appreciate all you do. Thank you.

[@Jbomb312]

Thank you for sharing, I can only imagine the feelings... I am going to do a gap check right now.

[@moonafarms1621]

So sorry for your loss. It happens to anyone, whether they have a guardian dog etc. You gave them a comfortable loving, and healthy life. They didn't have to suffer being stuck in a building without fresh air or natural light. We can't prevent the unfortunate parts of weather or predators.

[@awakenacres]

Oh no I’m so sorry!😢 My chickens are pets too. I’ve lost some to raccoons, hawks and an opossum and the neighbors dog but never all at once. My biggest fear is a weasel getting them because there are gaps in their coops. Old buildings with rotten wood. I think you went above and beyond what most people do to protect their chickens and you took the time to find out how the critters got in.

[@janicechambers9797]

This was heartbreaking to watch. I’m so sorry. We have a new flock of 18 and will now double check every inch of their coop. Thank you for sharing 😢.

[@vonries]

I'm so sorry to hear about your chickens. I'm so glad you did show us! You do have a mini fort Knox there. I lived WAY out in the country when i was a kid growing up on a farm. Dad never did anywhere near that much work into protecting our chickens. I know I would not have started with that much security, after seeing my dad get by for so long with few problems. I only remember one wolf in about a decades time. What I'm trying to say is don't beat yourself up.

[@southsidecarly7427]

I’m so sorry for your loss❤️I know it’s possible to get attached to chickens.Everything in the coop looked safe except for that one spot. I feel sad for you. I would definitely buy a bunch next Spring as soon as you think it’s the right time❤️

[@stacewizer]

Sorry to hear about our flock. I lost my hens in the Spring. Thanks for sharing your journey

[@hanks_backyard]

That's super sad - sorry about that. I had a similar incident but with Raccoons - we left the door slightly ajar by mistake and had 5 massive raccoons come in and kill about 1/2 the chickens. Completely bone headed move on our part, but a lesson well learned. We also now have a little group of guardian emus which helps - although strangely they are friends with a couple of the raccoons so it's hit and miss on them chasing them out. In a somewhat emotional response, I got twice as many chickens that spring and we're back to producing way too many eggs :)

[@dennispovloski8102]

Thank you for opening up about this. I'm getting ready to start my own permaculture project, and will definitely check every square inch of whatever coop I build to check for vulnerabilities. If it's any consolation, I know your girls had great days every day until the last day. Take care.

[@mareemarcolin3227]

Sorry your chicken friends were victims of a predator. I am in Australia and our coop is very similar to yours. Our prime concern are pythons then foxes. Thank you for this video as I will do an extra careful check of our coop today. Commiserations.

[@Double0pi]

Sending sympathy. I lost my last flock to a raccoon last year. I thought I did a good job of predator-proofing, but I did have some rather large holes up under the roof, even bigger than yours. Admittedly, I knew they were there, but I thought it was good for ventilation, and that nothing could get up that high. Obviously I was wrong. Next time I have chickens (probably 2-3 years from now) I will build the coop more tightly. Live and learn.

[@bookswithatwist-vanvelzerp9262]

My coop is lined on the ground with hard wire - at the top where my metal roof grooves against the wood - I HAVE THE VERY SAME OPENINGS!!!!!! Now that is on the top of the project list .....

[@twotonenavy]

I am so sorry this happened, Keith. My heart breaks for you and your family. I will take the lesson from this for when I finally get my own chickens. 😢

[@isabelladavis1363]

So sorry to see this I can’t imagine how sad this is for you all…I’m torn trying to decide whether I can add chickens to our already full house…daughter in law has 35 and works from home…loves them as do I …stay blessed

[@dawncompton9199]

Condolences for the loss of your hens. Thank you for sharing the video.

[@joeymudge8258]

My weasel story and solution: I'm so sorry. We have ridiculous numbers of mink and weasels. It was impossible to keep them out and we lost so many chickens. I ended up having alarms, lights and cameras. I was sleeping with my windows open and jumping up all night trying to keep them out. One night i saw one carrying off an egg. From then on i started leaving eggs out. It lives under the coop keeping other weasels away. I have not lost a chicken since and even found the weasel roaming around the chickens in the yard looking for eggs.

[@CanadianPermacultureLegacy]

Interesting!

[@mistymounthomestead8594]

So sorry for your loss, they're pets to a lot of us but don't beat yourself for it. Many chicken keepers loose their first flock, lots to learn but they are so worth having. I'm planning on making videos on chicken keeping, too many conflicting info on this.

[@MLegs]

So sorry for your loss. Thank you sooooo much for sharing. Hopefully it saves other chickens for viewers that watch your channel. We have ducks, but they have the same predators to watch for. So sad. It happens and at least now you know for the future. Again thank you for sharing. Hugs 💛💛💛

[@mmraike]

So sorry. This happened to the chickens of a friend of mine - a weasel got in. 😢

[@vickimorris3957]

So sorry to hear of the loss of your chickens. You certainly tried to do everything possible to care for and protect them.

[@uhadonejob]

I expect this happens to most chicken owners eventually. Mink/weasal proofing is not easy and yours is one of the most thoughtful/secure setups I have seen. Sorry for your loss.

[@libmorin9985]

So sorry you experienced this: we had 50 hens and built a "Hilton" with similar safeguards: a rat managed to squeeze through the chicken wire and chew through three layers of flooring from below the coop: the determination is amazing! Poor 'girls' I hope you find a new flock in the spring and are safe in the knowledge that you fixed the ingress. (ps the rat was not given the opportunity for a repeat performance)

[@scooper21]

I'm sorry for you loss, thank you for sharing what you learned with us.

[@Skookman]

Really sorry about your loss. I have been fortifying and buttoning up my coop getting it really for 16 chickens. They are just 3 weeks old now. I hope to have them in the coop in about 4 weeks. I lost 1/2 of my flock 10 years ago to a weasel. Then gave the other 1/2 to a friend. After fixing the obvious issues, I then blacked out the window, doors and vents, went inside a dark coop and looked for any light making its way in. I found a very thin light beam entering where two pieces of siding comes together. I closed that up and now total darkness. I think I have achieved the security my girls will need.

[@cookingsherry8784]

I'm so sorry this happened to your chickens! Thank you for always sharing the bad along with the good so we can all learn. We have used half inch hardware cloth coming out a few feet from the coop to prevent the digging in issue. So far, it has worked well for the last year and a half. I like the half-inch hardware cloth better than the one-inch because only very tiny snakes would be able to get in, and chickens will eat snakes if they are that small. We have a lot of snakes in Missouri, and I don't want to deal with that. One night our boss hen refused to go in the hen house in the evening. At about 11 that night she alerted, and we ran out there to scare away a hungry racoon. Our system seems to have worked, and I pray it continues to work because, yes, these are my babies! For future knowledge, raccoons and some other animals are really good at tearing chicken wire. Since you have stones on top of the chicken wire, that probably helped with no digging in. I hope you will decide to get baby chicks in the Spring and make videos of raising them. It's very easy and a whole lot of fun for the whole family. I think your videos could encourage more people to raise chickens for themselves. If we can do it on a half acre wooded lot in the suburbs, anyone can do it!

[@CanadianPermacultureLegacy]

What a great comment :)

[@PaleGhost69]

Darn. I was looking forward to seeing how they do in the winter. Everything is a learning experience!

[@jusang6265]

So sorry this happened to you and thank you for sharing.

[@GrowCookPreserveWithKellyDawn]

I'm so sorry. This is devastating. I can empathize. We lost half a flock to a mink once--they came in under the coop, using a deep mole tunnel.

[@grandma6552]

Thank you for forcing yourself to share this extremely painful video. I, as I'm sure many many others, will double check every inch of my coup. As soon as I stop crying.

[@CanadianPermacultureLegacy]

That's so sweet, thanks for the comment.

[@mjvaquatics2626]

Sorry for your loss. It's never easy to lose critters you care for. The fix is clear and maybe think about a mink trap or two. 😞

[@user-lw1mc1yr8d]

Sorry for your loss. We lost an entire flock as well, and I know how much it hurts.

[@mulberryfarmsnb]

How heartbreaking, Keith. I'm so very sorry for the loss of your girls and that you had to find them like that. Take heart in knowing that they had lovely lives until that point, much more than most chickens. 9:54

[@bobburkinshaw9408]

Very sorry, Keith. We lost chickens to a mink once and it is incredible how they can find or create a little hole. In our case it exploited the weakness of a knot in the wood, knocking out the centre and getting in. We were able to reinforce the coop and have not had the problem since. I hope that you have ongoing success when you get new chickens.

[@CanadianPermacultureLegacy]

Thanks 😊

[@jadefawn]

Im sorry this happened. Fox burrowed under the coop at my neighbours place one year. It was heartbreaking, hens, rooster, chicks... it can happen. Cows accidentally step on napping calfs and break legs... sad thing happen sometimes..

[@keithnotley2440]

So sad to hear of your painful encounter Keith. Thank you for courageousy reviewing the cause, for the benefit of all chicken carers! You obviously cared deeply for the welfare of your "girls", and their lives benefited greatly because of your efforts. 😕🙏🍀

[@nmnate]

So sorry to hear this Keith. When you design exclusion regions around your precious things (crops, etc), it's really sad when you find out that they were inadequate in a way that you missed. I was worried about dealing with gophers long term in our nice new raised beds (corrugated steel, ~30" tall), so I installed hardware cloth along the bottoms of each of the beds. Thankfully we haven't had any gophers. But... the rodents that climb well just get to the tops of the beds that are adjacent to a fence and mow our plants down. I ended up trapping a pack rat that systematically cleaned out those beds for over a year (it also took out a ton of decorative native perennial plants). I don't love having to trap animals, but it was my only solution due to our lack of predators - I've only seen one snake on the property, and one raptor. Well, we started having issues again this spring. We caught what was probably a new litter of pack rats, but I think there's an adult somewhere close. They're incredibly smart. I had to exclude them from the food source before they would even go near the traps we would set out. We also had some baby rabbits find their way into the fenced yard this year. Incredibly cute little guys, until they started getting bigger and eating everything in sight. They still attempt to sneak through any opening in the fence and have made a mess trying to burrow back in. I can't blame them, there's tasty food in there. I've been reluctant to hardware cloth the entire perimeter of the fencing due to overall cost and the incredible amount of work it takes to do that (especially with irrigation lines). Can't win 'em all, but hopefully there's a way to make things tenable.

[@liabobia]

I'm so sorry, chickens really are lovely creatures. Sometimes it seems they enjoy the garden as much as I do. I like to imagine them wearing gardening aprons as they go about their work. Mink are the smartest predator you're ever likely to face. Things that may help fend off mink: elevating the coop off the ground, having a big rooster, having a guard goose, or having a guardian predator like a cat or dog.

[@celestebatchelor2399]

I’m so sorry. Your coop looks so nice. It really hurts to loose animals. We lost chickens once and so did our neighbors. 😢

[@OrganixFarms]

I’m very sorry to her this incident happened. It took a lot of guts to go on air to inform us. I just want to thank you for sharing because bad things DO happen when we’re learning. It’s what helps us strive to do better and learn even more. Keep your head up and I hope this doesn’t hinder you from giving it another try.

[@GrowWithGordon.JamesPanyan]

Thank you for sharing this and I am sorry you lost your chickens. I will go through and double/triple check how well mine are protected from predators. I do have mesh underneath the original coop but nothing in the expanded run....

[@CanadianPermacultureLegacy]

Cheers James

[@mep.stance1210]

Thank you so much for sharing. This is exactly the kind of learning experience that is useful to share for the broader community. Don't ever think sharing harsh life events is something to frown upon.

[@sangha1486]

Sorry for your loss. I suggest focusing on how happy your future flock will be in your newly fortified coop run. Every problem is a solution

[@michelfournier2683]

So Sorry for your loss, I've never had chickens but I hear they become great companions, and almost Family members over time. A difficult video for you to put out I can imagine, but very informative, and you should be commended as these chickens lived a much happier life in your care than the poor battery caged chickens in our commercial agricultural system.

[@kevinbocking4039]

I am so sorry this happened. I had similar things happen with a fox. It was devastating. I can only use it as a learning experience. It's been a year since it happened and its we haven't started again. We want to do it right so it doesn't have to happen again. Thanks for sharing and hope you try this again.

[@Gonesquirrely]

So sorry about your loss of your chickens. I’m sure some will do a double check of their own coops.

[@wendyclark7765]

We lost 24 chickens in two days, two mink attacks. Our coop was like fort knox already bc of our proximity to coyotes. We had traps set, and had a professional hunter try to help us too. Absolutely nothing can prepare you for mink carnage. My girls were 10 & 14 - but both ok even after seeing the crazy mink dismemberment. Hope you guys r ok, sorry ur going through this too.

[@barbarasimoes9463]

Your demeanor said it all. That heartache is awful. When you did find where the mink got in, I was shocked that it was so high up. I suppose I knew that some animals can climb, but with everything five foot and lower being so secure, I never would have considered that as an entry point. This was a difficult but necessary video to make and it will help many, so thank you.

[@nodigBKMiche]

My heart goes out to you & your Family! We always feel guilty when something happens to the beings we care for - nothing is fool proof & things are not always predictable. Just like caring for children, you do the best you can & do a lot of praying :) ❤❤🍁🍀🍀🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 Please keep on doing what you do!!

[@CanadianPermacultureLegacy]

Well said!

[@ericdu8159]

Thanks for posting even though it's sad. I have had my chickens for 3 years I feel so bad for you... get it fixed and try again.

[@stephaniedecker278]

Sorry for your loss. It is very upsetting knowing they suffered such a violent death. We had a similar experience and I felt really guilty for not protecting them.

[@eleonorabartoli2225]

So sorry for what happened, I know how traumatic it is, I experienced that as a child. Thank you so much for doing the video, I am sure it will help other chickens be safe. They are wonderful creatures. My mother had a 16 year old one. Thank you again, and praying for you all.🦋

[@GardeningintheNorth]

This is so heartbreaking Keith. Poor girls 😢 thank you for sharing this ❤

[@cannabinerd9665]

I've had this happen to me as well and it is heartbreaking. My biggest problem the last ten years have been coyotes that are relatively easy to deal with because of their size, but they suddenly disappeared this spring and now we have red fox and mink for the first time in about ten years. I was sitting out on my deck the other evening and two rabbits ran past with a mink in hot pursuit. That and this story is going to get me to make sure my run is buttoned up tight.

[@whereswendy8544]

Oh, so sorry for your chicken. Had the exact same thing happen to mine. The mink gets blood lust and will go through the whole coop in one go. I cornered it with a pitch fork and it's eyes just gleamed at 4 in the morning. Itvran straight up the wall, out the gap between the rafters and never came back. Mink can get in through the smallest gap.

[@yLeprechaun]

Dude, that sucks! I've had chooks for about 20 years now. I've lived this pain. My experience was with a broody Momma and her 7 chicks. Heartbreaking. Damn carpenter- cheaped out and used a leftover instead of milling out a proper fit. Damn minks! Sure are cute and fun to watch scurry around the wild. Sure get ugly in a hurry in the barnyard. I feel for you guys.

[@jodytrimmel579]

I am just starting this video hoping the thumbnail was just a creative play between the wording and the picture. However, the total look of distraught on your face as the video started said it all!! It hit me so hard in the feels 😢 I am so sorry for you, your family and the poor chickens 😭 Thank you for sharing despite the nature of it. Knowledge and experience to learn from

[@CanadianPermacultureLegacy]

❤️

[@howsit70]

Awwww!!!!! Poor girls!! No one thinks less of you....more perhaps but not less✌️❤️🙏.

[@littlehomesteadbythebeach]

I'm sorry for your lost. It's a good idea to put a wire on the bottom but chicken wire will rust and break within a season with the acidity of the soil and manure. We put the mesh you put on the sides the 1x1. Harder to break. We have rabbits and they can't dig in it. Chicken wire they did do holes in it. Also, make sure you put it so when you shovel it to clean, the shovel does not get stuck at every wire. The top wires should be parallels to the shoveling direction.

[@CanadianPermacultureLegacy]

Good point! Thanks! We will make sure we don't skimp out on cheap thin wire for the bottom.

[@johannordstrom5027]

So, so sorry for your loss. It’s really sad. We lost our flock last year to a fox and we understand your feelings. We secured our fence even moore after that but I will triple check my cop and fence tomorrow. Thanks for charing. Take care

[@ADAWC]

I'm sorry for your loss! Your chicken coop looks perfect! Your video will save some lives in the future. It's an important lesson. Thank you for sharing!

[@tff40]

Weasels, Stoats, Minks and Martins are fierce and fervorous predators in that they will kill everything they can. We had a Weasel around last fall and winter, cute little bugger. Each summer I'm challenged with Voles and Chipmunks raiding my garden and digging holes everywhere........not this year.

[@Dude_its_Lyz]

Five years ago we lost our entire flock to a mink attack too. I know exactly how much this sucks. I am so sorry.

[@bradlafferty]

As a former chicken/pet keeper, I know your heartbreak and I’m sorry for your loss. With chickens it’s most always a relationship that ends sooner than we want. Predictors do what they do, no matter how solid your coop is. My sympathies.

[@julie-annepineau4022]

I am so sorry for your loss. I understand how hard this is for you. I am going to take the warning and go double check my coops.

[@CMSCK]

So sorry this happened. I could tell your chickens were friends and pets. It has happened to other people I know too.