Absolutely puzzling

[Snap62]

I have a coop with a run attached. I found one of my Spitzhaubens, with the head bit off. The top of the run is secured with plastic fencing, and it's well tied down with no cracks.

The coop is also secure, and no signs of forced entry. Thus is the second time in 4 days, that I have found, this same situation.

I feel positive, that it was a coon, but how did he get in? Could he have reached through the chicken wire and pullled the head off?

I'm gonna stake this critter out. There will be no mercy at all from me. I will sit and wait until I have terminated the life of this bandit from Hell

 

[CMV]

Quote:
Yes, that is exactly what it did. I am sorry for your losses. You may want to look into replacing chicken wire with hardware cloth as raccoons can't reach through the little openings in the hardware cloth, or pull your chickens through it piece by piece. Chicken wire keeps chickens in but doesn't keep predators out.
Good luck and happy hunting.

 

[citrusdreams]

yeah, he could fit his little arm in there. Set out a trap and trap him.

 

[juliecox]

I had a similar problem with poultry wire. I haven't had any problems since I got a coop with hardware cloth.

 

[jjthink]

What time of day do you think this happened?
JJ

 

[SallyF]

I had a coon attack with 2 hens beheaded and one rooster's beak and comb chewed up. Happened sometime during the night.

 

[StormyRidgeChixLady]

The hardware cloth comment is helpful. i have a had a racoon/possum problem for years. Always trap and terminate them. Actually had an incident a few hours ago. :-( Thanks for the idea.

 

[Snap62]

I think I'll have to overlay my chicken wire with hardware cloth. All my pair and trio pens are made with hardware cloth, and nothing like that has happened there.

It was one sneaky coon, to get past my dogs. I put the remains in the freezer, so I can thaugh them out later for bait. I don't have a trap at this time, so I think I'll hang it up about coon reach, and stake the devil out, and terminate his miserable existence.

I have a creek that runs through my 5 acres, and it's only about 30 yards from this particular pen, and it's very dark.

I'll let ya'll know as soon as I eliviate this menace to society

 

[jjthink]

Sounds like your birds are not locked in coop at night then, or were coons out in daytime? I have to lock mine up at night or they would definitely be coon dinner.
JJ