I wouldn't advocate animal cruelty just for the sake of being cruel but if it is only option you have to remove a threat to your flock then how you dispatch them becomes less important in my opinion. As long as you are removing the treat in the quickest and most feasible option for your...
I am so sad for you. That's awful. Probably raccoons if they opened the latch. Cheap trail cam should work to see what's lurking at night. Motion sensor activated lights for future deterrent and those seem to work quite well for me. Don't leave any food out overnight to draw attention of...