Glum morning

[Bramble-Poultry]

Can you put the chicken coop on wheels - we had one on wheels ages ago - it was dead easy to move.

Sure you can cobble something together, put a wanted on freegle or visit a scrappy they may have something of use.

[mr darcy]

sorry for your loss, electrify the bastards with a powerful fence!

[MrsC]

So sorry to hear of your loss, badgers eh, god never even thought about that! So sorry! x

[Glutton4...]

Sorry to hear of your loss, Womble. That's just awful.

[frias]

Poor you , that's horrible. Badgers are stronger than foxes and it's illegal to kill them. I have strong mesh over my coop but it's in a permanent possition so don't need to worry about the weight. I also have an electric fence. The cost is worth it for peace of mind.

[Pies]

Could you build the new coop on a raised platform with a ramp or drawbridge so when they are closed at night they are out of reach

[Liza]

B****y ell matey sorry for your loss. Do what you think is best for you and future chooks, hope you go for some more but I can understand if you don't. I would be absolutely devastated in your situation.

[binley100]

Sorry to hear about your loss. Never thought of badgers killing chooks . My neighbours chooks are in a house that is raised . His problem was stoats but so far he seems to have kept them out.

[Bramble-Poultry]

Thats a good Idea pies - we have a coop and run arangement where the house is elevated - we made it ourselves - thinks teh plans are on here somewhere - we move it around easily

[womble]

The coop was off the ground! It was at least 45cm off the ground, which gave them shelter from rain and a place to dry bathe.
The badger must have stood on it's rear legs to even start to get into it.
No one here can believe that a badger could get through that much wood in one night, but it did, it's almost unreal.

Thanks guys, I didn't mean this to turn into a sorrowful thread, with thanks from everywhere, but it is really nice when we all support one another.

It went through a piece of wood that was a good 20cm thick, as well as the 10cm wall, honestly, the claw marks have to be seen to be believed.
I think I'm just trying to make myself feel better, that I did all I could.

Anyway, my DD really is upset and I have promised some more chickens, so I will build a badger proof coop and see how it goes.

Thankyou.

[FionaH]

Womble I am gutted for you, never thought of badgers as an issue for chickens.

[its hilly]

Womble, so sad.
My idea would be to build your new coop on legs around 2'6 off ground, wrap corrugated sheet or weldmesh round the legs, and cut a piece to fit under the floor of the coop too. Hopefully chew/claw proof. You could always make the coop and stand seperate so its easier to move.
Glad DD has persuaded you into more chooks, you know they'll cheer you up once you get them. Good luck, and let us see your final design eh.

[nmayhew]

Are Badgers now endangered?

they are protected - it is illegal to hunt / kill them, or tamper in ANY way with their set.

anyways, sorry for your loss Womble.
weldmesh will be the way to go, if it is only a coop you are trying to protect, and you want it mobile? i'd build a "wheely" one if it was me.
i have badgers up the lane, foxes in the field, so my whole enclosure is meshed - roof and floor.
sorry again

Nick

[di]

Sorry Womble and hugs to DD too{{{x}}}.
Good Luck on your new building project.x

[lindyloo]

sorry to hear about you chicken. can you totally encase your house with small hole chicken wire, including floor and ceiling, let it all overlap generously. i have done mine like this, and put it in a run which is also top and bottomed with wire. have kept them safe for 12 years in a feild, and never shut the house door at night time.