11 birds, 1 day

[TheJonestead]

I thought that I had built quite a secure little coop for my birds, but had a cat catch and eat two through the fence, then sometime yesterday something broke in through the fence leaving a couple of small holes. It stole 11 small birds in one day. All that remains are a few scattered feathers and one pile of guts. I'm heartbroken and scared for my 3 remaining birds. What could have eaten them?

 

[brideofchaos]

Really depends on where you live. Usual culprits are raccoons or foxes but if it was smaller holes, could have been a mink (if you have them in your area). But being that you lost several birds, I'd guess a group of raccoons.

 

[TheJonestead]

The hole in the side is about 3 x 6 inches, the hole in the back is about 6 inches around

 

[Toddrick]

You need to use hardware cloth for your secure run, and not chicken wire. Anything can practically get through chicken wire. This was predictable and will continue, even if you catch/kill the current predator, until you replace the fence.

 

[mymilliefleur]

I agree with @brideofchaos, sounds like a group of Raccoons or foxes, if they killed and carried away all 11 birds. I would replace the run with hard ware cloth. I just lost 2 ducks this morning to a raccoon, so I know how you feel.

 

[Austra1orpchick]

I am very sorry for your lose.

 

[TheJonestead]

Thanks for the input. I had never heard of hardware cloth, but I'll be replacing the chicken wire with it asap. Until then the remaining 3 will be spending the nights in the house and traps will be set.

 

[Cajoledn2it]

I'm sorry you lost members of your flock. Hope the remaining members stay safe!