We just lost 3 chickens from either a raccoon or an opossum. It had to be a small critter because no holes in fence, on ground under fence or roof of coop. It was low to the ground when I seen it from the house.
You can only trap the critters now since whatever has been getting a free meal at your cost could be a fox MAYBE jumped the fence but a coon and a possum can climb as well do pen the remaining birds up or you will loose the entire flock to whatever is dining out on your birds.Your rats and possums usually hunt at night or very early in the mornings.Coons do have thumbs like ours (kinda) and can open several things with there tiny hand like feet's/legs.
Weasels, minks, martens, otters, fox, skunks, raccoons, coyotes, hawks fisher cats, dogs, stray cats.
With a flexible body a weasel can and has entered a coop/pen and attacked birds You must be very vigilant with your birds to be sure they are safe and do place into a safe cage/pen/coop each night with some sort of a lock or chain so critters cant open and feed on your birds.You may want to get a live trap so you can trap the animal doing the damage and killing your birds this will help you fix the ways these critters are getting in as well.Live traps are at feed stores or a tractor supply will carry such traps.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com Raccoon: adapatable, intelligent, bite the head/neck areas some times take the head distance from body and leave the crop or breast may be toren or chewed upon. They can and do pull heads and legs off of birds in a cage/pen/coop if do get ahold of them (had a few peeps killed this way).
Fox: These guys a red or gray are the chicken owners nighmare since they are clever lirttle fellows, They can and have taken an entire flock out in one hit. They hunt righ after sunset and right before day light. In case of a fox intruderyou can hear the hens go crazy within the coop/pen/cage.There will be many feathers around the yard/coop/pen since fox are like dogs love the chase factor before the kill.
Skunk: Not so much as killing the birds but love those eggs they Occasionally will distroy a hen for food.
Hawks: Most will carry off and swallow hole if to big will beat then tear up to eat.
Coyote: like chickens just like a stray dog does. They also like ducks, geese, and turkeys, many birds.If the place is close to a get away site maybe but mostly at night for huntting but if feel brave will attempt a day rush for foods if happen to have pups to feed.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com Fisher Cat: aka the black cat member of the weasle bunch they eat poultry and will kill a numerous amount if do get into the flocks.
Dogs: your (if have any)?? The neighbors or a stray or more they will kill chickens to survive as well.
Weasel: are knowen to kill several birds at one time if allowed to get to them either in a coop/pen/yard.
Minks: another member of the weasle family they to will kill chickens for a fresh meal.strictly carnivorous.
Martens: members of the weasle family againare very strong and effective hunters will take a chicken if need to to survive as well or a small dog or even a cat if need be.
Depending on where you live and the type critters you have around you in this area will tell you what got into your birds ..
I suggest you place the birds up every night and watch them close during the day as well, have a safe enclouser for the birds where you are sure the critters are to stay out .. Good Luck
Sorry to hear about your flock. Chickens have a lot of predators though, and as a general rule should be locked up in a safe coop from dusk to dawn. During the daylight there are still chicken meat loving creatures, but there are fewer of them.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com Also, as a safe chicken coop I mean wood. I suppose metal would be okay, but a bit cold in the winter. Fencing is great for keeping out dogs and cats, but posses no threat to many night creatures that can dig under, climb over and squeeze through it.
Another thing you can do is set up bait for these creatures and trap them. If you are the no kill type you can get the walk in traps, so you can release the animal elsewhere. Hopefully, a place where there aren't any chickens .
Best wishes,
Jamie/Rhoderunner
Build a chicken house and keep them in it at night. It could be a weasel?
