As I mentioned in the previous post, the energizer failed to work and thus the electric fence is of no use. Yesterday morning I found 3 dead chickens and in total 4 missing. I knew it must be the raccoons. I then covered the coop with more chicken wire, but left some small holes, thinking it would be too small for the raccoon. Big mistake! The next night, it killed three more at midnight while my wife was watching them. She woke me up and I grabbed a golf club with me. I saw 3 raccoos, one at the edge of the coop, reaching through the chicken wire. I inspected the coop and found out it could pryed through the corner of the coop and got in. Well, I have no choice but moved all the chickens back to the permanet coop with my wife’ help, in the middle of the night.
I thank the Lord that we did not lose the whole flock. We now have 31 chickens. I learnt 3 things:

1. Chicken wire is not good enough. The raccoon can reach in and grab the chikcen. A hardware cloth with at least 1/2″ mesh is needed, at least along the bottom part of the coop.

2. Farming is hard. Farmers face so many uncertainties like weather, predators and market demand. My respect to all the farmers who work hard to feed us.

3. “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” (Psalms 127:1). No matter how well I planned and thought I am well prepared, I still fail. Without the Lord, I can do nothing.