Chicken eaten in coop last night by...??

[clucksnducklins]

I found one of my hens dead this morning.. in the corner of the coop with her insides completely gone but head still attached.. I've noticed a possum coming around lately.. I'm sure that's what killed her.. I have straw inside my coop on the floor.. My question is how do I clean the area where she was eaten? I removed a good layer of straw from there but I feel like it still smells and needs something more done.. any suggestions would be greatly appreciated..

 

[Mary Poopins Love]

Lavender is a good smell to keep certain pests away. Could you get a trail cam to put by your coop to see whats sneaking?? you can search up natrual smells that mask/ eliminate odors outside. I am so sorry about the chicken.

 

[clucksnducklins]

Ill look into getting a camera.. I don't know if the straw on the floor is contaminated..Should I disinfect the coop since she was eaten in there or is it safe to leave the straw on the floor..

 

[Mary Poopins Love]

You should probably disinfect, you have no idea what germs are in there!! Is your coop large?? If it is small then you should remove all straw, if it is big then clean about six inches to a foot where she was eaten.

 

[clucksnducklins]

It's a smaller coop.. All I have on hand to disinfect in bleach, is that okay to use or do I need something else.. thank you for your replies!

 

[Mary Poopins Love]

I don´t know about the bleach. Do you know how to get eggsesive on here? Anybody would work. I am just not sure about bleach.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

How did an animal get into the coop? This is the question that needs answering and then mitigating. Actively look at your coop and determine if there are any entrances larger than 1/2 inch. Board them up or cover with hard wire cloth.

There is no need for a trail cam except to watch wildlife. It does not help stopping predators. We use trail cams for entertainment. See a 400 lbs black bear or random animal like bobcat passing.

 

[Mary Poopins Love]

I had only suggested a trail cam to possibly see the predator.

 

[Mary Poopins Love]

Okay, so I searched it up and you should not use bleach to clean your chicken coop. You can use a natural cleaning agent like vinegar.

How to Clean and Disinfect Your Chicken Coops for Spring​

https://bestnestbox.com

 

[clucksnducklins]

Crap I just ran out of vinegar too..looks like I'll have to pick some up at the dollar store.. Today I guess will be dedicated to reinforcing and cleaning my chicken coop.. don't want to lose another one of my girls! If only they had taken a rooster, I have too many of them!! Thanks for your help!