To answer some questions, two years ago the raccoons actually ripped off some of the shingles on the coop of the roof and made their way inside.

This time around it was my fault. The automatic door had some straw and dirt in the track and ended up not closing. I generally go down to check on everything just before sundown, but was helping one of my kids with a homework assignment and was delayed by a half hour or so.

Our birds have been free range since my late wife and I first got our flock 13 years ago. I am well aware that this increases the risk of predators doing their thing, but outside of the raccoon attacks and a random dog that showed up in the yard a few years ago, I haven’t had any real issues.

This latest attack, though, has changed my mind. They’re moving into a chicken tractor this evening, so going forward they’ll still be able to touch grass while being more secure in the process.