Death and the Masked Marauder

Today is February 26 and I was waked an hour early by my son Richard who said the chickens were upset.  I got up and took my lantern out to see why they were squaking.  I counted one in the coop and two beneath the coop.  I found the third in a heap towards the back of the run.  I thought I first I would leave the body there and take care of it later, but I reconsidered and picked it up.  A gray shadow ran from under the recycling barrel.  I smacked the raccoon several times with my lantern and it was having a problem finding an exit.  I think it forced its way out through the trellis under the coop.  I need to reinforce the run before I let the chickens out again.  Fortunately they have plenty of food and water.  I finished up my pictures and some paperwork for the intake for the UVAG tomorrow which I will do after I go to the temple.