A raccoon, a coyote?

[LindaNL]

Today at 1pm I heard my chickens panick, so I ran outside and found that 1 chicken was bleeding (it's leg) and 1 chicken was missing (there were lots of feathers on the ground).

I followed the 'feathertrail', and eventually found my chicken dead in my neighbours ditch. Her head was detached (still there), and I saw some marks on her breast. But I think nothing was really eaten.

Half an hour later a friend stopped by and told me that she saw a coyote in our driveway. AND our cat has been missing since a few days as well... . AND a few months ago there was a raccoon in our garage. We have chickens for over 4 years already, and nothing ever happened before...

The preditor must have jumped/climbed the 4ft fence (with my fattest chicken in it's mouth). I really want to secure my chicken area, but I think I first must know what preditor took my chicken.

Could someone help me??? Thanks a lot.

 

[Nyla]

I just caught a raccoon about an hour ago. Your problem sounds like a coyote.
Are you able to get a large live trap? If so get one big enough for a coyote and if possible a raccoon one too. Set them up outside your fence and use your dead chickens as bait or tuna.

 

[LindaNL]

I just caught a raccoon about an hour ago. Your problem sounds like a coyote.
Are you able to get a large live trap? If so get one big enough for a coyote and if possible a raccoon one too. Set them up outside your fence and use your dead chickens as bait or tuna.

Thanks a lot!
I'm soooo relieved with your answer. Keeping a coyote out will be much easier than a raccoon. I think I can sleep now (was worried about the raccoon breaking through the 2 layers of chickenwire tonight) .
I don't have any traps, and I think it will not be needed if I just raise the fence by 4 feet (and add a net on top). But maybe I should look into it, just in case...
Now, lets hope this was indeed a coyote

What are you going to do about the raccoon???

 

[Folly's place]

So sorry for your loss! Sooner or later every possible predator will find your chickens, and that means having serious predator protection for them.
Chicken wire won't save them! Use well secured hardware cloth, possibly with 2"x4" woven wire on top.
Electric fencing is great for ground predator protection. Check out Howard E's posts, and Premier1supplies.com is a wonderful resource.
Live traps are very useful, only if you will then shoot any raccoons, opossums, or foxes that you trap. Otherwise, don't bother; you will just train the critter to avoid live traps and continue to eat chicken!
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

Netting or wire will keep raptors out of your run, but not ground predators. Any opening larger than 1/2" diameter will allow rats, adult mice, and weasels to enter.
Mary

 

[RWise]

coyote's luv cat, and I would also say that is your pest,,,
good luck!