I'll stop talking about my dead chickens, one last post. Whatever it was did use the trellis to get over the fence, there's mud all over the wall. Not one clear print. The **** things totaled my trellis and yet another newly planted rose (I keep trying roses, i obviously need to give up). Inside of the coop looks totally peaceful, not one speck of blood or feathers. The critter gave up a hole in one area and found the weakness just over where the coop was buried 6" down. Oh, and I found fresh quail feathers right next to the hole. Dry, so very fresh since it's only stopped rainingthis aft ernoon.
Quail feathers.
Inside of the coop.
Area where whatever scrambled up the trellis. I rehung the broken trellis. The white on the blue wall is actually mud, the flash washed out the color.
The hole, the green grasswas painted level with the soil.
Pipemum, that looks more like the work of a skunk to me, not a coyote. The small access hole is a good clue, and also the fact that it needed the trellis to get out of the yard. Coyotes have springs for legs and can bounce-clear a 10 foot tall concrete wall if they are sufficiently motivated. A skunk likely used the trellis a s ladder to climb out. Also explains the claw marks you found.
You can buy an inexpensive Wild Game Camera that snaps pics when it senses movement, even in total darkness. Mount it somewhere secure in your backyard, aimed at your coops. Then you will know for sure what you are dealing with, in the way of predators. Because whatever it was, now knows you have a all-you-can-eat chicken buffet open for business, and you can bet your bippy, it WILL BE BACK! And maybe with reinforcements.
Just my 2 cents
