14 Chickens Killed. What predator?

[blackb3]

Probably wasn't a panther. Probably either a fox, coyote or bobcat. Do you have a game camera you can put up? More than likely the predator has been lurking looking for an opportunity and it will be back. Good luck...

No, but I just ordered one. Hopefully this will help get to the bottom of what is happening.

 

[DoxonFarms]

I don't think it was a fox. We had a fox take 8 of our 12, 7 in one day, I thought it was a hawk that took the first until we lost the rest. Very few feathers, no blood. They take as many as they can, and bury them in a feild until they are ready to eat them. Trail cam might be your best bet to find out.

 

[cmom]

When I got my first camera was because I was curious as to what predators roam at night and to find out what had killed some birds. It was an owl. Here in Florida the predators mostly roam at night and have for the most part routes and routines. Since I have looked for sales and have purchased more cameras. Some I have on posts that I move around. Again, good luck...

 

[cmom]

I don't think it was a fox. We had a fox take 8 of our 12, 7 in one day, I thought it was a hawk that took the first until we lost the rest. Very few feathers, no blood. They take as many as they can, and bury them in a feild until they are ready to eat them. Trail cam might be your best bet to find out.

 

[blackb3]

I don't think it was a fox. We had a fox take 8 of our 12, 7 in one day, I thought it was a hawk that took the first until we lost the rest. Very few feathers, no blood. They take as many as they can, and bury them in a feild until they are ready to eat them. Trail cam might be your best bet to find out.

Got the trail cam up and it was a fox! He came back last night. That guy killed 14 chickens in one night.

 

[LaFleche]

We forgot to shut the coop door. Feathers started in the coop and were all over the field. We have had this happen a few other times over the last 2 years, and it has been the same with MANY chickens killed, most bodies left, and some missing. Every time it has happened we had forgotten to shut the coop door, so of course we feel so bad.

Whatever it was that killed your chickens, I think the best you could do is invest in an automatic coop door that will close at a preset time or at dusk if equipped with a light sensor.

 

[DoxonFarms]

Wow, glad you figured the what was killing them. Sad day though to lose so many birds.

 

[Sammi_0411]

Ouch sorry this has happened

 

[Big Doggie]

We live in southwest Florida. Last night we had 14 out of 22 chickens killed. Feathers everywhere. 10 dead chickens left in the field and 4 missing. All dead chickens in-tack with minimal bites and no blood, except one was missing a head. Most had bit marks around neck, but some had bite marks on body. Bit mark picture attached, it seems like a small mouth but I am not sure. Our chickens are free range during the day and locked up at night. We forgot to shut the coop door. Feathers started in the coop and were all over the field. We have had this happen a few other times over the last 2 years, and it has been the same with MANY chickens killed, most bodies left, and some missing. Every time it has happened we had forgotten to shut the coop door, so of course we feel so bad. We have not had any problems with predators trying to get into the pen. Ordered a trail cam, but trying to figure out what got them. We also have two donkeys, but that didn't help at all. Any ideas?

Have you considered an automatic door? I love my Omlet door. Girls get into the run early and at night go back to the coop and the door shuts. Makes life just a little bit easier.

 

[FreeRangeChickens]

Racoon or weasel, sorry for your chickens