3 chickens found dead inside of sealed coop

[grandpepere]

Hi all,
I hope things are going well for you.
I found 3 chickens dead inside of our coop this morning. The coop had been locked up for the night. We had one inch of fresh snow yesterday, and there were no animal tracks of any kind leading to/from the coop.

All 3 chickens died the same way, each had a 1/2 inch hole in the back of the skull just above the neck and a little skin missing around the hole.

Except for the holes, no new damage to their bodies, they were not eaten.

The chickens have lived harmoniously together for 1 year. They were cooped up most of the Winter (we live in Maine, USA) without incident. Until last weekend, the chickens free ranged during the day in good weather and locked into the coop at night.

2 chickens were killed by coyotes last week, so I decided to build a run, 18 ft x 16 ft. with 6 foot fencing and 2 foot chicken-wire bottom apron.

Any ideas and advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

 

[melissaG]

Hi all,
I hope things are going well for you.
I found 3 chickens dead inside of our coop this morning. The coop had been locked up for the night. We had one inch of fresh snow yesterday, and there were no animal tracks of any kind leading to/from the coop.

All 3 chickens died the same way, each had a 1/2 inch hole in the back of the skull just above the neck and a little skin missing around the hole.

Except for the holes, no new damage to their bodies, they were not eaten.

The chickens have lived harmoniously together for 1 year. They were cooped up most of the Winter (we live in Maine, USA) without incident. Until last weekend, the chickens free ranged during the day in good weather and locked into the coop at night.

2 chickens were killed by coyotes last week, so I decided to build a run, 18 ft x 16 ft. with 6 foot fencing and 2 foot chicken-wire bottom apron.

Any ideas and advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

Gah, sorry you're having such a time of it with predators. I know how frustrating that can be!

Sounds like you might have a weasel running about. They can be tricky as stink to catch, you can make modified rat traps in boxes to try to get it. There are some good (however graphic) instructional videos on youtube if you're so inclined.

 

[mike194]

sounds like a mink

 

[aart]

1/2" x 1/2" hardware cloth over any opening on the coop. Weasel/Mink can get thru a 1" hole.

Funny no tracks....any overhanging trees, could they jump from run fence to top of coop?

 

[littleoak]

I have said this before but it warrants repeating. The weasel or mink is probably living under the chicken house or somewhere inside. They kill and then drink the blood and then go back to sleep. They sleep solidly when they are full and can be found sometimes still asleep in their hiding place.