The New Flock

Last year we tragically lost all but one of our hens (Tillie) to a night time raid by Raccoons. I let the dogs out first thing in the morning for their romp and piddle and they all stopped at the front of the chicken yard gate. I grabbed a flashlight and went out to find old Sara Jane (seven year old Buff Orpington) laying dead in the chicken yard, I looked up on the roof and was growled at by a full grown Raccoon and another coming out of the hen house. There were several on the fence and another in the nursery that borders our yard. I stayed home that day from work because all the other hens were still missing. As daylight came I went out and found the remains of the other hens under the building which is on pier blocks. I blame myself because I neglected to shut the little exit door that I put on for the hens to come out into the chicken yard that was only fenced with a four foot open topped fence. I decided then and there that I would not get anymore hens until I built the most secure chicken yard. So May 8th of this year we opened the door to Tillie's great pleasure and safety, and we also purchased four new chicks. Tammy the silver Wyandotte, Hazel the Americana, Gigi the Barred Houdan and Ella the Buff Orpington