I knew this day would come

[NorthwoodsChick]

If you don't want to keep your chickens behind electric fencing, put poison out. The raccoon will be back. If you can locate his trail, put poison there. If not, lock the girls up and put the poison near the chicken coop. I have used Fly Bait. I use it because it is fast. The victim loves it, eats it, gets tired and falls asleep. Never wakes up.

I took my electric fence down because the chickens fly over it anyway. This happened away from the coop. I assume it’s raccoon but I’ve heard owls lately, too. She was not heavy so I bet an owl would carry her off rather than take off the head and leave the body in a pile of feathers.
Poison is a good suggestion but my dogs would find it.
I’m keeping the chickens locked in for a while and will let them out only when I am around. I’m skilled hunter with a lot of patience, so I will get this predator

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

that is an awful idea, and my guess would be highly illegal. plus you can not control what will eat that poison and what eats said animal that is affected by that poison.

to OP, the raccoon will back, i would highly recommend either using a cage trap or a Duke DP coon trap, (depending on how you like to trap) and dispatch said critter.

I will look into those. thank you.

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

highly illegal. plus you can not control what will eat that poison and what eats said animal that is affected by that poison.

I’m almost certain it is illegal, too.
I replied to other poster that it was a ‘good suggestion, but…’ to thank poster for brainstorming solutions. I would not consider distributing poison, even contained within a trap for the very reasons you mention.
Plus, I have wetlands on my land and surrounding area—that’s a whole new level of risk.
thanks for sharing

 

[Doug Goolsby]

I lost my first chicken to a predator today. I free range and accept the risks of doing so, but it’s hard nonetheless. I found her at the edge of the woods near a steep hill, no head and a denuded wing. I assume raccoon even though I’ve never seen one.
Everyone else is ok- I thought it was odd the flock didn’t greet me, now I know why. They are on lockdown for a couple of weeks at least. View attachment 3684720View attachment 3684726
Ritzie was my first ever hatch. She loved cuddles and was my shadow. 20 weeks old and just starting to explore nesting boxes.
I’m going to miss her dearly.

It comes with living in the country, I have lost my first that free ranged two weeks ago my rooster that was 4 months younger than my 7 hens. But eye 4 & eye was sweet ,my hens they are watched while out free ranging the go from coop to trampoline with electric fence on both Get you a hav-a -hart trap Bait it with the dead hen if you have.n got rid of the hens body .chicken bones. pork chops or peanut butter with dry cat food because if it got a free meal it will return. Have a Merry Christmas for you & yours