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Light breeds 12-20 weeks of age confined housing 5.0 square feet per bird. Bantams same age band 3.5 square feet per bird. You had 23 birds in that 64 square foot coop or 2.8 square feet per bird. Birds get stressed from the confinement. Let's go over what you told us, you heard a bird...

Tootsie, I think your flock is now to the size where 8 x 8 floor space is pushing the limit for a confined flock, this adds to a possible chicken eat chicken issue. As your flock matures it will come under further crowding and you'll likely see more of these take place. A 64 square foot...

Quote: How big is your coop?

Quote: Well if the trap is covered the skunk isn't likely to spray you, a tarp or other covering over part of the trap (before the skunk is caught) will allow you to approach the trap and pull the covering over the rest of the trap. There are no guarantees that the skunk won't let loose but...

Tootsie, I hope you understand that that chicken wire isn't even close to being predator proof, several predators can go through it, several can rip it apart, and at least one will try to pull your chickens through it.

Quote: Skunks are also a good possibility (same general family as the weasel).

Quote: Yep that is also a possibility.

Quote: Close but it means original poster in this context Quote: Yes, if your birds spend their days in a run you can also place the trap outside the run all of the time (live traps only). Quote: A live trap big enough for a raccoon and wrapped to make it weasel tight should do the trick.

Quote: If you haven't disposed of the body, use part of it for bait. Also coons will--I am told--respond to marshmallows. Cat food, grape jelly, and molasses as well.

Quote: X2 ETA: My X2 is for the bait suggestion.

You should note that your nose isn't in play here and we have no odor report from Tootsie, so we don't know if there was even an odor. Maybe Tootsie can answer that question.

Quote: I wasn't saying it was a weasel just that it could be and yes flock mates have been known to pluck, however normally the OP would have noticed such an occurrence before. As for a nasty weasel smell, you might also want to note that an old male raccoon also is likely to leave a rather...

While members of the weasel family are noted for not killing by chewing out the insides of a bird starting at the vent they most certainly can and do. Weasel family members are also noted for sport killing. Was your bird that was killed laying, one of the other common causes of losing a hen is...