Coop intact, hardware intact, missing chick.

[mdavison]

Okay so
we had a momma hen hatch five eggs a few weeks ago.
We put her in a place that is usually pretty safe.
Two chicks went missing.
got a small coop.
Coop is comprised of hardware wire, spring latches. It's wood. It's heavy.
Everything has been fine for the last two weeks.
Last night we moved the coop a few inches. Still had three chicks, one momma.
Ftr: The momma is a bantam.
Go in this morning, we're down to two chicks. No carcass. No feathers.
We have another momma in the upstairs part of it with her baby.
Everything was still latched. No tears. No break ins.


Seriously, I'm Lost.

 

[swamphiker]

Could predators get in by digging? Also, snakes can fit into gaps that are surprisingly small, I had a rat snake eat several chicks that were being raised by a broody.

I'm sorry you are dealing with this!

 

[mdavison]

Could predators get in by digging? Also, snakes can fit into gaps that are surprisingly small, I had a rat snake eat several chicks that were being raised by a broody.

I'm sorry you are dealing with this!

So, it's situated on solid cement. So probably no digging.
I was thinking snake. The wire mesh - I believe - is 1/2 inch.
Would a snake get through that?
I do not see any openings at all otherwise.
Thanks!
We're trying to figure out what to do next.
I'm just not sure what we're up against. Putting up cams tonight.

 

[swamphiker]

I don't think a snake big enough to eat chicks is likely to be able to squeeze in 1/2 hardware cloth, and even if it could it definitely couldn't get out afterwards!

That's a very strange mystery. Please let us know what you see on the camera!

 

[mdavison]

Thank you for the feedback. I didn't think so either.
The only other thing I can think is a person sneaking in