Something is taking my chickens during the day!

[alexis1220]

we have a coop with a covered run so we know it isn't Hawks. But over the last week something has been slipping through our fence and taking our chickens about one a day and only leaving a few feathers behind. Does anyone know what could be doing this? We have a live trap set up now but keep just catching a stray cat! What ever is taking our chickens is only coming during the day and climbing up a 4 ft fence squeezing through a 6in gap (now closed) and leaving the same way with out a trace? Also anyone have any suggestion on electric fence for a chcicken run? I feel it might be our best option to stop this from countinuing!

 

[maddog3355]

Probably the cat.

 

[yudash2000]

Are you still losing chickens after closing the gap? Could there be under-fence access going on? Cats love chicken!

 

[JanetS]

I would get a game camera then you would know what's getting your chickens. What kind of wire do you have on your coop and run?


This is our daytime predator.

 

[alexis1220]

At first we thought it could be the cat and we did also decide if we trap it again we will relocate him. We have a lot of stray/barn cats in our area and he didnt seem friendly! I just can't imagine a cat grabbing a chicken then jumping 3 feet and carrying it out! But I guess it is possible just seem unlikely to me.

 

[alexis1220]

Could a racoon be taking our chickens during the day? We have split rail fence with garden fencing and a cattle panel top with poultry net (now on top.. after we lost 3 chickens to what we thought was a hawk) but we are still losing chickens! We have a fully secured coop we lock them into every night.

 

[Eggsoteric]

Fox is another possibility. Fox will hunt during the day, especially if there are kits to feed.

 

[MysteriaSdrassa]

Fox is another possibility. Fox will hunt during the day, especially if there are kits to feed.

^^This,,, and will usually hit in the earlier or later part of the day,,, although I have had them take a bird at high noon.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

we have a coop with a covered run so we know it isn't Hawks. But over the last week something has been slipping through our fence and taking our chickens about one a day and only leaving a few feathers behind. Does anyone know what could be doing this? We have a live trap set up now but keep just catching a stray cat! What ever is taking our chickens is only coming during the day and climbing up a 4 ft fence squeezing through a 6in gap (now closed) and leaving the same way with out a trace? Also anyone have any suggestion on electric fence for a chcicken run? I feel it might be our best option to stop this from countinuing!

No fox, coyote, or bobcat needs to climb over a four foot tall fence. Almost any predator can stand flat footed and jump over it while carrying a chicken in its jaws. Are you sure that your live trap is the correct size for your predator.

 

[JulsAndClem2657]

I have seen animals of all kinds attack during the day and I've seen coyotes jump my 8 foot fence just to get my flock so I recommend game cameras to find out what it is. One thing I would try (NOTE:MAY BE ILLEGAL IN SOME PLACES I know it's inhumane but sometimes snares are the way to go in desperate times