4 dead, none eaten

[lomine]

Sadly I came home to 4 dead chickens today. I’ve lost quail to skunks but this would be my first loss of chickens to a predator. And of course 3 of them were among the prettiest and my favorites.

I live out in the plains. I’m part of a little mini neighborhood with lot sizes ranging from 2-5 acres. My lot is fully fenced but I did notice my front gate partially open when I got home. It’s on a remote opener but sometimes a heavy wind can open it slightly, enough for a person to walk through.

The attack must have happened during the day as all the carcasses were outside except one right inside the pop door. I found a few puncture holes and a tear. Also noticed a lot of missing feathers around the base of the tail and back. No evidence of eating (which erks me the most). It doesn’t seem like whatever it was went in the coop because all the chicks and ducklings that are currently in there are unharmed (thank goodness). They would have made easy targets.

Based on all this I’m thinking it was a dog. Any thoughts on this? Does it sound like something else?

 

[Unexpected chicken lover]

It does sound like a dog. They tend to think the chickens are squeaky toys they broke
That would explain why they're uneaten and the puncture wounds.
So sorry for ur losses
Is there anyway to secure that fence so it doesn't happen again?

 

[cavemanrich]

Sooo Sorry to hear this,,,,
I would agree that it may be a dog. Other predators take and consume more of a bird before killing another. Weasels and mink do multiple kills and usually at night. They would have got many more of your little ones inside coop.
Try and secure your gate somewhat better if possible.

 

[lomine]

Thanks for the condolences.

I’ll be latching the gate from now on. Haven’t had any free roaming dogs around until recently. Neighbors across the street had some people move in with a trailer a while back. Since then I’ve seen a large dog near the front my property. I really should have been more careful. This is definitely a lesson learned.

 

[RWise]

Thats what my neighbors dog did, come over the fence, and kill what was in cages here. If only I had been home,,,,
A game camera may be in your future,,,,
If you can find the stray dogs owner, talk with them, it may help. One of my neighbors tied their dogs after they were being shot at in my yard. They offered money up for the dead birds, I told them "keep your money, I expect you to be responsible with your pets", at this moment she got to see the last one go over the fence to get away from me.
Good luck I know just how you feel,,,,

 

[Trish1974]

I am so sorry for your loss.

 

[Kazzandra]

I had a dog grab one of my chickens through a double lined fence (must have leaned against the wire type to get to the kennel fence) paw at my own crippled chicken, pull her to the fence, and take her neck and most of her wing off. She was so pulled into the fence I had a hard time getting her out. My neighbours have lost two flocks to dogs-- almost entire. No other predator is as dangerous, to be honest, as most others only take one or two at a time.

 

[lomine]

I've been wondering why it was so few chickens that were killed. It certainly would have had a long time to go after everyone. I'm thinking the dog may have been called back by it's owner. Either that or everyone made it in the coop while it was distracted and it got bored and left.

I do have a game camera. I need to empty the card and get new batteries. I just need to decide where I want to put it. Do I put it by the front gate to see what's hanging around or do I put it by the coop to catch any action?

 

[cavemanrich]

Coop where the activity is going on. You can see if it is actually the dogs or other predators.

 

[lomine]

Coop where the activity is going on. You can see if it is actually the dogs or other predators.

Good point.