All 31 Meat Chickens Gone!

I’ve been lurking for a good year learning a lot from this site but this is my first post. Unfortunately it’s not a happy one…

Started raising meat chickens this year and had my second batch in the coop. They were 3 weeks old today and looking good. The coop is make of wood and completely enclosed except for the door to the run. The run is completely enclosed in chicken wire on all sides and top.

When I went to feed them this morning I came across 10 of the 31 laying in the yard dead near the coop (some a couple feet away, some a good 30 feet away). A couple were half eaten but most were left whole. The remaining 31 were nowhere to be found but may be laying around elsewhere.

Upon quick inspection I saw that there was a hole about the size of a volleyball, maybe smaller, ripped through the chicken wire fence in one corner of the run. It was very dark and I was very angry and had to get to work so I didn’t get a chance to inspect further. I disposed of the chickens and went on my way trying to think about what could have done this and how to prevent this in the future.

So there are my two questions…

1. 1. What could have done this? From my reading it doesn’t seem to point to one predator in particular. From my reading I gathered that if you're missing chickens it could be a coyote or fox but they won't leave dead chickens laying around. Also a fox will only take one at a time...coyotes will take all they can get in one mouth (remember there are 22 missing). If chickens dead but not missing any parts could be dogs or weasels (a few laying around were missing parts though). Dead and missing parts could be raccoon which will take several birds (is 22 several?) and eat the breasts (the half eaten ones did have breasts gone).

2. 2. How do I prevent this from happening again? I knew chicken wire wasn’t the strongest stuff on earth so I’m not too surprised something got in but I am very surprised it kill ALL of them. Obviously I need to patch the hole but will covering the chicken wire with welded wire be sufficient?

Thanks!

Well I think I already answered question number one. My wife found coyote fur stuck to the fence where it went through. Still weird that if left dead ones laying around the yard. Maybe I got to them before it could carry them all away...?

I know that coons will kill the entire flock but didnt know a coyote would.

I'm so sorry for your loss. I don't know where you live or how coyotes behave in your area. Here, they run in large packs over a known hunting area, sneak around and hit a property. Mass murder style, or the little dog they noticed in a backyard overnight. You're on the right thread to research solutions if you have a look around, google some stuff too. Might want to wander around Coop and Run design too. To answer you question #2, welded wire won't cut it. Strong hardware cloth on a strong dig proof frame. Electric wire is almost always best. Good luck!

The coyote in my area of Ohio tend to typically be alone or a mother and her pups but have been known to pack together. I still think 21 chickens seems like a lot for one or a couple coyotes to run off with. I’m also surprised I didn’t hear anything as the windows were open that night and I’m a light sleeper.

The run has a nice 2x4 frame and the coop is completely enclosed except for the door. I think I just need to beef up the fencing. I planning on ripping off the chicken wire (sounds like I was dumb for even trying it) and putting on some 1/2" square hardware cloth. While I’m at it I’ll go ahead and bury it at least 6” to prevent any digging too. Electric fence is more than I want to get into.

This winter I was going to build a brooder that I could keep outside near the house for my spring flock (coop is a good 250’ away with no electric)…now I need to do some more thinking about that and make sure it’s plenty secure!

I have seen a fox carry off as many small chivkens as it coild pick up and carry.

I had a dog come into my first chicken pen, kill all 18 hens and chicks and left them all where they laid. Anger would not be a strong enough word to describe me that day.

Anyway, if spare cash were an issue, I would straighten up the chicken wire that is there and then back it up with some 2x4 inch welded wire. The chicken wire is already there and can take care of most of the small predators. Welded wire would give you the extra strength you need for stronger critters without the extra cost of hardware cloth. Obviously, its not nearly as predator proof as a hardware cloth wrapped pen but it would be pretty close for much less cost.

Edit: Guess I should have read everything in order... But yeah, welded wire over the chicken wire wouldn't be bullet proof, but it most likely would have prevented this attack. My current chicken run is completely wrapped in 2x4 welded wire with a hardware cloth footer. Its been a full calendar year with no incident other than a stray pit bull scratching up the coop door with no success.

sonofabish1 said:

The coyote in my area of Ohio tend to typically be alone or a mother and her pups but have been known to pack together. I still think 21 chickens seems like a lot for one or a couple coyotes to run off with. I’m also surprised I didn’t hear anything as the windows were open that night and I’m a light sleeper.

The run has a nice 2x4 frame and the coop is completely enclosed except for the door. I think I just need to beef up the fencing. I planning on ripping off the chicken wire (sounds like I was dumb for even trying it) and putting on some 1/2" square hardware cloth. While I’m at it I’ll go ahead and bury it at least 6” to prevent any digging too. Electric fence is more than I want to get into.

This winter I was going to build a brooder that I could keep outside near the house for my spring flock (coop is a good 250’ away with no electric)…now I need to do some more thinking about that and make sure it’s plenty secure!

Click to expand...

What got them is sure a mystery. Wish you had a nanny cam! If you wanted to set a trap... To prevent digging, if you don't want to trench the whole coop/run you could lay down the HW cloth as a "skirt" that lays parallel with the ground. Most go out 18-24", nail it down with yard nails, tent stakes, then cover it with dirt or whatever. Your used chicken wire or WW might suffice, but from what I read if you have weasles...1X2 too big. A friend of mine installed a battery sensor light with alarm to scare off coyotes and alert her...

Sometimes an animal will go in and kill as many as possible, then use multiple trips carry the carcasses back to a cache.
It's not for 'sport', it's just efficient.

It could have been multiple animals(family/pack), most probably canine, fox or coyote....but could be that others(coons) took the opportunity to take a share also.

Local hobby farm lost multiple pullets out of a coop.....but none of the meat birds in several chicken wire tractors on same property.
Ya just never know with live and/or wild animals.

Sorry for your loss, that was low, painful blow.

Nupe said:

I had a dog come into my first chicken pen, kill all 18 hens and chicks and left them all where they laid. Anger would not be a strong enough word to describe me that day.

Anyway, if spare cash were an issue, I would straighten up the chicken wire that is there and then back it up with some 2x4 inch welded wire. The chicken wire is already there and can take care of most of the small predators. Welded wire would give you the extra strength you need for stronger critters without the extra cost of hardware cloth. Obviously, its not nearly as predator proof as a hardware cloth wrapped pen but it would be pretty close for much less cost.

Edit: Guess I should have read everything in order... But yeah, welded wire over the chicken wire wouldn't be bullet proof, but it most likely would have prevented this attack. My current chicken run is completely wrapped in 2x4 welded wire with a hardware cloth footer. Its been a full calendar year with no incident other than a stray pit bull scratching up the coop door with no success.

Click to expand...

At this point I want this to be as secure as possible without going crazy! My brother suggested using expanded metal sheets which is about as strong as it gets but it real expensive. I have heard that anything you can get your fist through a coyote or fox can most likely get through so I don't really trust the 2x4 wire stuff.

I'm out about $100 for these chickens plus the meat that I have to now buy at the store - probably $250 to $300 total. So dropping $100 or $150 on hardware cloth is a good investment IMHO.

Mutt Farm said:

What got them is sure a mystery. Wish you had a nanny cam! If you wanted to set a trap... To prevent digging, if you don't want to trench the whole coop/run you could lay down the HW cloth as a "skirt" that lays parallel with the ground. Most go out 18-24", nail it down with yard nails, tent stakes, then cover it with dirt or whatever. Your used chicken wire or WW might suffice, but from what I read if you have weasles...1X2 too big. A friend of mine installed a battery sensor light with alarm to scare off coyotes and alert her...

Click to expand...

That's not a bad idea but I won't have much trouble trenching around the 8'x8' run. Plus one side butts up to the garden so I dont want 18-24" of wire hanging out into it.

aart said:

Sometimes an animal will go in and kill as many as possible, then use multiple trips carry the carcasses back to a cache.
It's not for 'sport', it's just efficient.

It could have been multiple animals(family/pack), most probably canine, fox or coyote....but could be that others(coons) took the opportunity to take a share also.

Local hobby farm lost multiple pullets out of a coop.....but none of the meat birds in several chicken wire tractors on same property.
Ya just never know with live and/or wild animals.

Sorry for your loss, that was low, painful blow.

Click to expand...

All those thoughts have also gone through my head. Maybe it was a big smorgasbord at my house that night with all the area carnivores invited!