kyliewhite
In the Brooder
- May 13, 2022
- 7
- 21
- 16
We have an omlet door that I know is working and the chickens have always been inside on time. They have a fenced in run with netting above so it couldn't be a bird. I was near them last night very soon before dark and then didn't go out to them until about 1 today. So it either happened last night right after I left or this morning. All dead. Heads appear to be missing and they were all dragged to a corner of the run, breasts eaten or badly torn. Feathers all over the run.
We've only lost one chicken in the past year - to a neighbor's dog that got in our yard (I had the gate open and was in the yard working, so I saved the rest of the flock). That dog is always trying to get in our yard and is loose really often.... But I now keep the gate closed at all times, even if I'm right next to it and we fixed their run fence to be more sturdy.
I need to go back out and clean up and do a more thorough check for damage, but on first inspection I didn't see fence damage. I'd have to look closer to see if something dug under the fence. If not, it would have to be something that could fit through a 3-4 inch square (part of the fence on their run, the same fence around our entire property, is that size).
What do you think did this? I'm devastated and have to tell my kids their beloved chickens are dead now.
We had 7 small pullets inside the run in a separate secure area because we were working on integrating them to the flock. They are all fine. I need to make sure this doesn't happen again.
We've only lost one chicken in the past year - to a neighbor's dog that got in our yard (I had the gate open and was in the yard working, so I saved the rest of the flock). That dog is always trying to get in our yard and is loose really often.... But I now keep the gate closed at all times, even if I'm right next to it and we fixed their run fence to be more sturdy.
I need to go back out and clean up and do a more thorough check for damage, but on first inspection I didn't see fence damage. I'd have to look closer to see if something dug under the fence. If not, it would have to be something that could fit through a 3-4 inch square (part of the fence on their run, the same fence around our entire property, is that size).
What do you think did this? I'm devastated and have to tell my kids their beloved chickens are dead now.
We had 7 small pullets inside the run in a separate secure area because we were working on integrating them to the flock. They are all fine. I need to make sure this doesn't happen again.
How tall is your fence? Is it covered? A weasel or mink could have slipped through the fence. They kill for fun and don't normally eat the dead birds. It may also be a raccoon who are messy eaters.
