- Mar 13, 2011
- 73
- 1
- 41
My little flock of 9 went down to 8 yesterday I was so heartbroken. Something got into the chicken run and killed my only blue layer (one that took me forever to find). And yes, I cried like a baby.
Her body was completely intact, no marks anywhere, but her head was featherless and blood red (like something had been scraping its teeth on her). Did not eat her, though, and did not suck her blood. The other chickens were terrified but all others were okay. She wasn't the smallest hen by any means. She was a good sized, full grown EE.
Whatever got her had to be sneaky. The run is in the backyard with the dogs. It had to be able to climb and fit into a 3"-4"gap (at the very top of the gate) and be able to climb/jump away. My dogs had gone nuts; you could see where they had tried to dig several holes next to the run to get in a get whatever killed my sweet EE.
A friend told me a greedy snake could have done it; she told me a 4' bull snake got into her broody and the greedy guy kept trying to swallow her hen but he couldn't swallow past the shoulders, leaving a very red/swollen head.
We have skunks around here, but not sure how sneaky they are and how well they can climb/jump. Also, there was no musky odor.
We live in the desert of NM, so no possums. A coyote or cat is out of the question; no way the dogs would have let them in (Australian Shepherd, Golden Retriever, and GP).
Any ideas, experts? I left the run propped open today so the dogs could protect them. I had to lock my 6 month great pyrenees puppy up because she is a chicken killer, no doubt. She likes to "play" with them, but doesn't understand that she hurts them. Thats another issue within itself (raised her with them but she likes to pounce and chew on them) I'v got to resolve.
Thank you, everyone, ahead of time!! I am hoping to find out what it was so I can further protect them in the future!
*warning- the pictures are graphic*
http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n482/allyallially/photocopy2-1.jpg
http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n482/allyallially/photocopy3-1.jpg
Her body was completely intact, no marks anywhere, but her head was featherless and blood red (like something had been scraping its teeth on her). Did not eat her, though, and did not suck her blood. The other chickens were terrified but all others were okay. She wasn't the smallest hen by any means. She was a good sized, full grown EE.
Whatever got her had to be sneaky. The run is in the backyard with the dogs. It had to be able to climb and fit into a 3"-4"gap (at the very top of the gate) and be able to climb/jump away. My dogs had gone nuts; you could see where they had tried to dig several holes next to the run to get in a get whatever killed my sweet EE.
A friend told me a greedy snake could have done it; she told me a 4' bull snake got into her broody and the greedy guy kept trying to swallow her hen but he couldn't swallow past the shoulders, leaving a very red/swollen head.
We have skunks around here, but not sure how sneaky they are and how well they can climb/jump. Also, there was no musky odor.
We live in the desert of NM, so no possums. A coyote or cat is out of the question; no way the dogs would have let them in (Australian Shepherd, Golden Retriever, and GP).
Any ideas, experts? I left the run propped open today so the dogs could protect them. I had to lock my 6 month great pyrenees puppy up because she is a chicken killer, no doubt. She likes to "play" with them, but doesn't understand that she hurts them. Thats another issue within itself (raised her with them but she likes to pounce and chew on them) I'v got to resolve.
Thank you, everyone, ahead of time!! I am hoping to find out what it was so I can further protect them in the future!
*warning- the pictures are graphic*
http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n482/allyallially/photocopy2-1.jpg
http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n482/allyallially/photocopy3-1.jpg