All my chickens are gone

[jojo54]

I went out this morning to feed the girls and all I found was dead bodies all over the chicken run. I had 25 girls and all but 5 were gone. I have a four foot fence all around and nothing had dug under and all the gates were all shut. Something jumped over the fence.

I took a photo of the footprint I found. Any guesses to what it was?

My neighbour thinks it was a cougar or bobcat. I have been numb all day. I caught the survivors and gave them to a neighbour who has chickens in a covered run and dogs in her yard so they will be okay. Thay were so scared - poor things.

All I have left is Lulu and she isn't happy with me because I won't let her out of my sight and won't let her stay out in the yard by herself.

It is so quiet and lonely in the yard.

 

[chicktwins]

So sorry for your losses!! That is a terrible thing and I hope you figure out what it was. Definitely something large from the looks of that print, I would tend to agree with your neighbor.

 

[SilkieBantams]

I'm Sorry for your loss.

I'm thinking it's a Snow Leopard or Wolf?

 

[chisNchickens]

That is horrible...so sorry for your loss. Can't tell for sure by the print but it could be a dog. They are more likely to mass massacre than a cat.

 

[ChestnutRidge]

Probably some sort of dog because cats' claws are retractable. Feline tracks show no nails, while canine tracks have nails visible.

Here's a link to different mammals' paw tracks: http://www.bear-tracker.com/mammals.html.

Probably dog: http://www.bear-tracker.com/dog.html.

 

[JulieNKC]

Quote:
x2, I'd say stray dog or coyote.

 

[jjthink]

They are more likely to mass massacre than a cat

Dog was the first thing that came to my mind also, and for the same reason.
And if a dog, it will likely be back. I hope you can catch it and track down it's grievously irrresponsible humans, assuming it isn't homeless.

So sorry and sad for your birds
JJ​

 

[haemony]

That is horrible and I am so sorry for your loss. I agree with the post above that it seems more like something a dog would do. Tracks look canine.

 

[centurion90]

Looks like a coyote print

 

[drumstick diva]

Looks like a big dog print. 4 ft. fence would be very easy for dog, coyote, fox, wolf to jump over. Even if you built it higher, sounds like you need a good, secure roof.