all my hens were decapitated.

[Habibs Hens]

The easiest and best protection is to close the coop door every night.

The OP states they where locked

predator proof hardware cloth is whats needed

 

[Mehjr10]

I have had a coon do that same thing, eat the head drink the blood and leave the rest.. You need to secure the coop where predators can not enter, if it is a coon they can work some latches and open poop doors of certain types..

Get a live trap or a Duke's leg trap and see what you can catch, then dispatch it.

A TN Mason

 

[ny mason]

The OP states they where locked

predator proof hardware cloth is whats needed

no I didn't lock the coop that night...the run was locked which is 7' high unfortunately whatever it was burrowed underneath.
I locked them in the coop last night and will continue from now on.
I built my coop myself and although I believe it is secure,ANYTHING can be penetrated with enough time/effort.
perhaps later I will take some pics of my set up and post it up to get some opinions on ways to improve it..

 

[ny mason]

I have had a coon do that same thing, eat the head drink the blood and leave the rest.. You need to secure the coop where predators can not enter, if it is a coon they can work some latches and open poop doors of certain types..

Get a live trap or a Duke's leg trap and see what you can catch, then dispatch it.

A TN Mason

I am planning on putting out some traps the only problem is my horse shares a fence with my chickens so a leg trap is out.

 

[Mehjr10]

Look for a Duke leghold trap, it is a dog proof trap so the horse will be fine.. here is a link, http://www.growersupply.com/dudogpr...=dudogprratr&gclid=CKK0zJbmhrcCFcuj4Aod1V8Acg, Stuff a marshmallow in the back end set it and stick it under a board or in a hole where the coon will reach in to try to get the goodie out..

 

[rapunzel162]

I have a Rat Terrior they are well known for killing rats. Sounds like you need one. They are good watch dogs as well.

 

[raizin]

a live trap baited with black sunflower seed. raccoons and possums will eat the sunflower seed and most cats will leave it alone. The best bait is cat food, as long as you don't have any cats. once in the live trap just drop the whole trap into a large container of water that covers the whole trap. The animal will drown and you don't have to shoot it or have a bloody mess. Also, if it is a skunk it won't spray when it dies. good luck.

 

[ny mason]

I have a Rat Terrior they are well known for killing rats. Sounds like you need one. They are good watch dogs as well.

LOL, That is a good idea,they are awesome at ratting.The only problem with that is I own a couple of pit bulls and the rat terrier wouldn't last a day in my yard.

 

[ny mason]

Look for a Duke leghold trap, it is a dog proof trap so the horse will be fine.. here is a link, http://www.growersupply.com/dudogpr...=dudogprratr&gclid=CKK0zJbmhrcCFcuj4Aod1V8Acg, Stuff a marshmallow in the back end set it and stick it under a board or in a hole where the coon will reach in to try to get the goodie out..

Wow,that dose look interesting..I think I will order one.In the mean time I have a couple of cage traps I am gonna set up tonight. .cant wait to see what did this.