All my chickens dead?

[Newchickenguy]

I went outside and just happened to glance down at my chicken coop and noticed my chickens were scattered about and not moving. On closer inspection all 18 of my chickens, NH, Leghorns, EE, and bantams were dead. Two were mostly ate and the rest and I mean all the rest just had there heads bit off. What would kill all those chickens and not eat all 18?

 

[WitchyWomanWV]

Do you have stoats in your area? We have them occasionally in my area of WV and they will often kill just for the fun of it. One stoat could easily take out a whole flock. How wide is the mesh on their wire and are there any signs of breakage or digging under?

 

[Mehjr10]

Sorry for your loss, it could be a coon, weasel, skunk. Depends on where you are located and what type of predators are around. Do you see any tracks in the run and a point of entry.

 

[5 Acre Rooster]

I have also had issues with possums doing this or just ripping crops out and leaving the rest. I am assuming for the corn/feed that was there.

 

[Domonique]

Well, I just had to "harvest" the last hen of my flock. I have been raising a fine flock of domoniques for a few years, but 2 recent dog attacks have put an end to that. One left that was totally traumatised that I thought it best to bring things to a closure. Major bummer! Free range in my world, just became a great deal more restricted. Here in Alaska, however, discharging a firearm in defense of life or property is except able so, the drama continues. God luck y'all with your similar hassles. Thanks for listening!

 

[can you hear me now?]

Sorry to hear about those birds. My experience for so many dead and missing heads is a racoon. They will eat them but seem to kill as many as possible mercilessly in the process of picking out which one to eat. I would look for your weak spot and mend it if you plan on more birds. It sucks losing so many so quickly. I have been on that end and felt just terrible since it was preventable.

 

[JNB]

Im so sorry about your flock.... I know finding something like that can feel like a kick in the gut. I lost 24 6 week old chicks this spring to a dog that broke into the barn. It sucks.

To chime in with the rest of the replies depending on where you live it can be any sort of critter. Here in Washington State I have seen Racoons and weasels do just what you described. Sometimes possums will pose problems too.

 

[stevodod]

Do you have stoats in your area? We have them occasionally in my area of WV and they will often kill just for the fun of it. One stoat could easily take out a whole flock. How wide is the mesh on their wire and are there any signs of breakage or digging under?

What in God's green earth is a 'stoat'?

 

[stevodod]

Oh, just looked it up! Like a mink, but meaner! Wow!

 

[questions543]

I would say raccoon