3 chickens in 3 days

[Weeg]

It's a 4ft by 8ft box that is 3ft tall, and there is 15 in there.

Okay, it is probably spacious enough. Good thing you turned the lamp off. I can tell they were all crammed at the cool end of the brooder trying to get away from the heat in the picture.

 

[sourland]

It may be a predator reaching through the wire, but it really looks like cannibalism to me. They need more space.

 

[Weeg]

I do have a trap, where would you suggest putting it?

What kind of trap? Live? I don't suggest killing the predator. If you catch it, is there someone you can call who can release if or you? A wildlife foundation?

 

[Weeg]

It may be a predator reaching through the wire, but it really looks like cannibalism to me. They need more space.

It looks like one is missing a wing, would another chick rip off a wing?

 

[sourland]

Generally when a predator grabs/kills a bird through wire, they go for the head as the bird approaches the wire out of curiosity. It would be very unusual/unlikely for a predator to grab a bird by the anus through the wire.

 

[cottontail farm]

It may be a predator reaching through the wire, but it really looks like cannibalism to me. They need more space.

Yikes. This looks awful. Why do you say it looks like cannibalism? Any time I've had a chicken try to kill another chicken (only 3 times, thank god) the injured chicken has been scalped. Have you had a chicken take out the back end of another like this?

 

[Weeg]

Generally when a predator grabs/kills a bird through wire, they go for the head as the bird approaches the wire out of curiosity. It would be very unusual/unlikely for a predator to grab a bird by the anus through the wire.

Coons will go for the tail feathers. Other chickens usually go for the top of the head, and the back, like @cottontail farm suggested.

 

[sourland]

Have you had a chicken take out the back end of another like this?

Absolutely.

 

[cottontail farm]

Absolutely.

Oh that's so gross. I have only heard of this happening with a prolapsed vent that other hens get interested in. Great, something else to worry about.

 

[cottontail farm]

OP, sorry if I missed you saying it but is this happening during the day or overnight? If it's night time I would absolutely blame a raccoon grabbing a tail and trying to pull a chicken through the wire. If the daytime, no clue.
Ok, I just saw you were in town. What time of day?