3 dead hens--oh no!

[LaunisChicks]

New at this. We just have (had) a mixed flock of 8 hens, no rooster, all raised from chicks together last Spring (2011). Found two yesterday morning...in their coop...not eaten...just pecked to death. No sign of predator or breach of fence security. Two buff orps had gone broody, one had just 'returned to the world' from being on the (empty) nest for a month, the other had just hit the nest. Yesterday the first broody buff was one of the victims, along with a Wellsummer. This morning, it was the other buff, dragged from her nest. We are traumatized! Also don't understand this. Did they kill each other?

 

[terryg]

This is traumatic. A predator would have eaten something, even if it was just the head (opossum.) But, hens don't drag others around, so it is unclear from your description what is going on. Also, hens don't kill at night, so if this definitely happened in the dark, it was a predator. If it is hen on hen aggression the pecking was probably at the heads. Is this where they were attacked? A hen will jump on another, pin her down and peck at the head. Had you noticed any aggressive behavior between the hens before this? There should have been signs. Broodiness changes the flock dynamics and can set off pecking, but it shouldn't lead to killing, especially in an established flock. It is possible that your hens are stressed due to not enough space, competition for resources or boredom. If you have a clue which is the dominant hen, remove her from the flock immediately. OTOH, a predator could have killed and then been scared off before eating. Do you lock your hens up at night? Even with fencing and hawk netting, I always latch my girls in at night. No pen is secure against raccoons and fisher cat.

 

[Nicole01]

Oh no! I'm so very sorry.. I lost one to a day predator so far and I can't imagine three.

I agree it's a predator that got your flock. Maybe a weasel. They will kill and not do any further damage. They can also get through a 1" hole. I have 1/2" hardware cloth over welded wire which is buried deep in my open spaces throughout the run. I can not completely close them up at night, it's too hot even with a big fan.

 

[devora]

Chickens can kill each other.

If a bird has a wound they will peck at it and this can lead to an all out attack. If their diet is lacking, they can attack. There are many variables but it is not unheard of.

Whatever happened to your birds, I'm sorry; it's terrible to lose a bird.