chicken killing eachother? please help!

[NJ Chick Family]

Hello, last week we lost one of our chickens an Amercauna named Piccata. It appeared that her head was eaten off her body. The other chickens were pecking at her body, nothing too alarming. We all thought that the hawk that always seems to tormet our chickens killed her But, it seems our Golden Comet Courtney has lately been being bullied by two of our chickens, an Amercauna and another golden comet. They are vigoursly attacking her and she is in constant fear. Is it a possibility that those two chickens killed Picatta and are looking to kill the other chicken? If so what should we do?? Separate them? Please help! Thank you so much!!

 

[mlbowers]

What were the colors of Piccata's feathers? We had a similar experience and concluded it was due to the design and contrast of our Amercauna's feathers as they were the only two bothered by the otherwise nice flock.

 

[EMcD]

From what I've read, if just the head is missing, then it was most likely a hawk. Chickens are cannibals though, and once a bird is killed, the others may very well eat some of it. But I don't think they are the original cause of the death.

Here's one reference:
http://www.freewebs.com/professorchickenspredators/

I wish you good luck in solving the other chicken behavior problem. Is it possible that the chicken who was killed was higher in the pecking order? If so, the remaining hens may be sorting out the new pecking order.

 

[NJ Chick Family]

Thank you all so much for the help, here's an update.. Today we heard the girls screaming and went by the coop and saw 5 baby raccoons walking around the area. After researchering, raccoons are known to kill chickens by taking off there head. What should we do? We really do not want to lose any more chicks. Thanks for all the help

 

[EMcD]

If you know it's racoons, you need to really reinforce the coop/run to keep them from getting in. From friends' experience, once the raccoons know the birds are there, they'll keep coming back.

Make sure you have all openings well protected. As you may have learned already, chicken wire has too big holes to keep raccoon arms out. Either wrap the first couple feed in hardware cloth (with .5 inch openings) or even overlap another layer of chicken wire to essentially create smaller holes. Make sure you have strong latches on the pop door, cleaning door, and nest box door... Raccoons can open simple latches. Try a spring-lock hook and eye, or carabiners.

You may need to bury some wire too if they are digging under too.

Good luck!

 

[mlbowers]

By a trap from TS and deal with the coons... we have caught 15 coons, 6 possums, and a skunk thus far, this summer alone!