Weasels?

Date sort Score sort
cassie

cassie

Free Ranging
15 Years
Mar 19, 2009
7,735
5,487
591
Something has been getting into the coop at night and killing my neighbor's chickens. The chickens are not eaten except that one or two were missing their heads. The rest of them were just dead and untouched. He thought at first it was a raccoon but the only opening into the hen house is a very small space up under the eaves. Not more than two or three inches. And if it is a weasel, how do you trap it? He has traps set around outside the coop but so far the only thing he has caught was a rabbit. Tonight he put a light in the hen house in the hope that maybe if the light was on the predator would stay away. Any ideas? Suggestions? Anything?
 
Missing head? could be a weasel ....or a feral cat.

Close the opening with hardware cloth.

Until the coop is secure, he's going to keep losing birds.
 
jimbob86 said:
Missing head? could be a weasel ....or a feral cat.

Close the opening with hardware cloth.

Until the coop is secure, he's going to keep losing birds.
Click to expand...
You're probably right. Funny thing is he has had chickens in this coop for 20 years without a problem. As for a cat, feral or otherwise, the opening is too small for a cat. And somehow I can't see a small (it would have to be small to squeeze in) cat killing six large hens weighing more than eight pounds apiece in one night. And coming back the next night to kill three more without eating any of them.
 
I vote weasel or raccoon. Maybe a small raccoon, but more likely weasel.
Weasels just eat the head and raccoons just eat the heads and crops, normally.
 
Last edited:

Similar threads

C
    • Like
Verified weasel in run
Replies
5
Views
1K
Kittykaty
K
E
Weasels..
Replies
2
Views
547
McChooky
McChooky
Melontine
    • Sad
    • Like
Weasels
2
Replies
17
Views
3K
Kittykaty
K
Thelma n Louise
    • Wow
    • Sad
*Graphic* Be warned. Unidentified chicken killer - 6 of my 18 dead- need help to identify to catch it! Graphic details & photos.
2
Replies
10
Views
3K
Birdsonghill
B
PETLOVER07
    • Like
Sweet Smells and Rats
Replies
3
Views
782
Al Gerhart
Al Gerhart

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom