I'm in Southeast MA. I don't think it was a human, because the gate is never locked. I'm not missing any chickens either.
The connectors for the hardware cloth are just big zip/cable ties. I had them on hand, so I used them. They are pretty strong.
A few people said it might be a dog...I...
I went to let the chickens out of the coop this morning, & noticed a gaping hole in the chain link. It looked as if something had reached in with 2 hands, & pulled it apart! It's not a huge hole, but it's about 3.5 or so inches...big enough for something to get in & cause mayhem.
It is...