All baby chicks dead??? How?

[georgiagail]

I'm guessing a raccoon which stood on top of the kennel, reached down into it and grabbed the chicks from above.

Gail

 

[urbanfarmer101]

In the photo, I noticed that the wire is bent inwards on the top. Was this done by you leaning on it or from the predator?
A coon could reach that distance without problem. A weasel could get in the cage from the top, they are very thin and can squeeze super small. Sorry you lost your babies.

 

[Pele]

I agree with the others, those bars have WAY too big of spaces, and the top of the box is easy flying distance for any chick over 2 weeks. I would even bet that they got up there to roost for the night, and were easy pickings for whatever could reach in there. (I vote Raccoon).

I'm sorry for your loss, but you are on the right track with the hardware cloth.

 

[dewey]

It does sound like a weasel or coon. The chick that was partly skinned could have been from being pulled through the bars. So sorry.

 

[drumstick diva]

How horrible!! Did you find an entry point? Go over your set-up with a fine tooth comb - checking for any weakness, or places wires were bent out of shape , broken or gnawed on. Do you see any feathers not belonging to your chicks? Any fur or hairs (dog, cat, wild preds?) Under holes or tunnels around the outside of your pen or up thru the floor - look under their little box etc. rats would do that. Are there any paw prints, or signs of a scuffle?

What a heartbreaker but, could you get a game camera or borrow one? Whatever came was successful and will be back? Maybe you could leave parts of a store bought chicken inside the coop and wait up for it(them) to return or - set a camera aimed at your site to see what turns up.

If you discover anything amiss please let us know.I am subscribing to this thread because I am hoping to hear you found the pred and dealt with it. Life teaches us some very hard lessons but, if you solve this one - you will find out how to prevent it from happening again. I am so sorry for you and the babies.

 

[drumstick diva]

as an afterthought, do you have any dogs or cats? You found some feathers on your porch which makes me think a domestic animal caused the carnage and brought it back to a familiar area.

 

[FaereChicken]

I lost a few pullets last year in the same kind of kennel. Had to be raccoons.

 

[Jerseycoop]

I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope you get to the bottom of this

 

[Heathero617]

Can a raccoons reach REALLY approach 12 inches in length? Looking at those pictures the openings are 4inches tall each from the top to most likely midway into that box would have to be a foot or better.

 

[jojo@rolling acres farm]

RE: Raccoons Reach = yes. The ones out here in Nebraska easily - esp. an older, very smart adult. They can grow to be very large.