2 dead chickens :(

[18awesomechickens]

So I found 2 dead birds, 1 had a clump of feathers around her neck and the other had nothing though I see no bite marks and I also see not really any tracks around the coop or any holes. Could it have been a snake? Hawks can't get in the coop and they weren't eaten.

 

[azygous]

Is there a slit opening up high under the eaves? An owl could fly in through a narrow slit, kill the chickens by cervical dislocation, not leaving a mark, and then realizing it couldn't take its prey with it through the narrow opening, decided to abandon them.

 

[18awesomechickens]

Is there a slit opening up high under the eaves? An owl could fly in through a narrow slit, kill the chickens by cervical dislocation, not leaving a mark, and then realizing it couldn't take its prey with it through the narrow opening, decided to abandon them.

No. There's no openings.

 

[azygous]

What were the two hens doing earlier? Any chance they could have been exposed to paint thinner or hydraulic or leaking transmission fluid? Insecticide?

 

[18awesomechickens]

What were the two hens doing earlier? Any chance they could have been exposed to paint thinner or hydraulic or leaking transmission fluid? Insecticide?

I came in to them dead when I went to lock them up. When I let them out they were fine.

 

[cmom]

If you have a game camera put it up because if there is a predator, it will be back and then you will know what you are dealing with. Good luck...

 

[18awesomechickens]

If you have a game camera put it up because if there is a predator, it will be back and then you will know what you are dealing with. Good luck...

That's what I plan to do. They had wet heads which made be believe snake is the culprit. Emerald had a little blood on her beak I have no idea if that's related to it or just part of her dying.

 

[hayley3]

So I found 2 dead birds, 1 had a clump of feathers around her neck and the other had nothing though I see no bite marks and I also see not really any tracks around the coop or any holes. Could it have been a snake? Hawks can't get in the coop and they weren't eaten.

A little chilly in my area for a snake. Also most snakes, in my experience, prefer the eggs..or chicks, not full grown chickens...

 

[aart]

They had wet heads which made be believe snake is the culprit

It's possible.

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