HELP! All of my birds are gone

One of the best things is to have your coop in an open area so the varmints can't sneak in from cover of woods, brush, tall grass. They don't like having to be "exposed" for too long. I know that isn't always possible for those of you in the "woodsy" areas.

Our birds free range, we have never taken any precautions to prevent varmints from digging in to the coop. Their ranging area is surrounded by pasture, a good distance from any good cover for predators. We hardly ever lose a bird to predation. The last time was 2-3 years ago, a dump dog.

Having dogs of your own helps keep predators out of the territory to begin with. Even if they aren't guardian breeds, their scent around the place puts varmints on alert.

Of course you can kill predators, and sometimes that's your only choice. But usually another one (or family) will just move in to take their place. Nature won't leave any niche unfilled. So prevention is better than starting a career in hunting varmints, IMHO.

Sorry this happened.

__________________
It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with the simple pleasures and to be cheerful and have courage when things go wrong.
Laura Ingalls Wilder

Definitely sounds like a raccoon to me too. They can climb easily and they will cart off bird. I had a big one pull a goose over two 4 ft tall fences.

__________________
"You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me." C S Lewis

We have a dog run around the coop

Just one? Doesn't he get tired?

Sorry, couldn't resist. I get it. Dog run built around the coop, good idea.

__________________
It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with the simple pleasures and to be cheerful and have courage when things go wrong.
Laura Ingalls Wilder

how big is the dog?

I'm northeast of cincinnati.