[Danush]

This morning I woke up to find the squab and the father missing from the coop. The only thing left was a wing that I found inside a pool of water/blood where the pigeons would drink from.
The mother pigeon flew away when the squab was 7 days old and the father did a great job raising it. It was 3 weeks old and doing well when this tragedy happened.
Was it Racoons? Rats? I must admit that my coop was not built strong so whoever killed the pigeons pulled the wood where the nails came off and they were able to to get in through that opening.
Having an idea of who killed my poor pigeons would help greatly.

Thanks,

Dan

 

[Charis]

You're right...probably a raccoon or a rat. I don't know where you live but a weasel will do the same. It'a not their fault...just trying to find a meal and if your coop was not built strong....

 

[whytwings]

what a horrible thing to have happened and a hard lesson learned

 

[SmithFamilyLoft]

This morning I woke up to find the squab and the father missing from the coop. The only thing left was a wing that I found inside a pool of water/blood where the pigeons would drink from.
The mother pigeon flew away when the squab was 7 days old and the father did a great job raising it. It was 3 weeks old and doing well when this tragedy happened.
Was it Racoons? Rats? I must admit that my coop was not built strong so whoever killed the pigeons pulled the wood where the nails came off and they were able to to get in through that opening.
Having an idea of who killed my poor pigeons would help greatly.

Thanks,

Dan

Hard to say, but it is apparent that your loft is not secure. It's a hard lesson to learn, and unless you secure your loft from predators, then most likely, this won't be the last visit for a nice meal.

 

[Skyeking]

what a horrible thing to have happened and a hard lesson learned

THIS!

 

[Danush]

Thank you all for your replies. Before I go out and get another pair, I am going to make some adjustments to ensure the coop is secure. I have one more question, I heard ***** have razor sharp claws/teeth. Will they be able to cut through the poultry net I used on the coop? (They didn't cut it this time because they were able to get in a different way. Wood got loose)
This link is a video I took of the father feeding the squab when he was just 6 days old. You can see what the wire looks like on the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgAd5UtS5tc&feature=plcp

 

[Danush]

This is the last video I took of them. It was on the day I decided to move the small coop I built from my sun room to the back yard. I need to make sure this tragedy won't happen again. I really screwed up...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJB2sSl2qrQ&feature=plcp

 

[Skyeking]

Thank you all for your replies. Before I go out and get another pair, I am going to make some adjustments to ensure the coop is secure. I have one more question, I heard ***** have razor sharp claws/teeth. Will they be able to cut through the poultry net I used on the coop? (They didn't cut it this time because they were able to get in a different way. Wood got loose)
This link is a video I took of the father feeding the squab when he was just 6 days old. You can see what the wire looks like on the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgAd5UtS5tc&feature=plcp

They can tear thru chicken wire like it is aluminum foil.

 

[Woodnative]

That was certainly a racoon and not a rat. "Razor sharp" maybe an exaggeration but they are smart and strong. Definately use well secured hardware cloth.

 

[spirit wings]

This is the last video I took of them. It was on the day I decided to move the small coop I built from my sun room to the back yard. I need to make sure this tragedy won't happen again. I really screwed up...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJB2sSl2qrQ&feature=plcp

you are going to have to use hardwire/hardware cloth 1/4 inch for the loft.

 

[Danush]

Thank you guys. Will make sure to use 1/4 inch hardware cloth.

 

[SmithFamilyLoft]

They can tear thru chicken wire like it is aluminum foil.

I have heard enough stories to believe that you are most correct. This is where people run into trouble, they underestimate the power and strength of these animals.

Talked with people locally, who thought a board or block of wood in front of trap is "securing" the loft, only to find out they can tear tear the boards off the wall to get to an "easy" meal, and tear off chicken wire like it was nothing.

 

[Jay3]

Get the heavy hardware cloth 1/2 inch is fine. Make sure it's on there securely.

 

[Msfreebird]

I have both 1/4" and 1/2" hardware mesh. But found that the 1/2" is stronger.
It's very difficult to find heavy gauge 1/4" hardware mesh. Around here it has to be special ordered and its VERY expensive.

 

[Danush]

I will go to Home Depot and see what they have. Per your last suggestions, I will most likely use the 1/2 hardware mesh. Hopefully they have it. Thanks again to all who contributed in helping a guy that's clueless but who wants to do the right thing

 

[Woodnative]

Home Depot carries it. Sometimes it is in the garden section and sometimes it is in another section (usually close to the rain gutters etc.). At least that is my experience.

 

[Skyeking]

If you can't find the heavier gage in 1/4 inch, I would go with the 1/2 inch and double it with 1/4 inch, because half inch still allows alot of predators in the coop.

Our Home Depot has hardware cloth in the building/lumber area.

 

[Jay3]

I have both 1/4" and 1/2" hardware mesh. But found that the 1/2" is stronger.
It's very difficult to find heavy gauge 1/4" hardware mesh. Around here it has to be special ordered and its VERY expensive.

You have to order the heavier weight hardware clothe around here too, as it isn't used all that much. That's why I went with the 1/2 inch, but I like it better anyway, and have had no problems. Unless you have thin snakes to worry about, don't really think anything else is going to get in. You can buy the larger rolls at regular hardware stores, rather than Lowe's or Home Depot.

 

[Msfreebird]

You have to order the heavier weight hardware clothe around here too, as it isn't used all that much. That's why I went with the 1/2 inch, but I like it better anyway, and have had no problems. Unless you have thin snakes to worry about, don't really think anything else is going to get in. You can buy the larger rolls at regular hardware stores, rather than Lowe's or Home Depot.

I get my 1/2" at Home Depot (better price than Lowe's). I've had no problems with the 1/2" mesh. Don't have anything small enough around here to get thru it
I also planted Peppermint around the flight cage last year...said it repels rodents and insects. This year it came back (tenfold!!) by itself. I have noticed the strong scent it gives off and no bugs in that area!

 

[Michy]

Just got some hardware cloth from Home Depot. Expect to pay $68.00 per roll of 1/2" X 4' X 25'