Dead chicken this morning

[ArtofGreen]

I went to the barn today and found that one of my Speckled Sussex is dead. It doesn't appear to have any damage except for a huge hole where it's butt used to be, I'm not sure if a wild animal did this, or if the chicken die and the other chickens gnawe and pecked at it's butt. I'm very frustrated with this as I just secured the entire stall (I thought) with chicken wire, several days ago.

It seems like some of the chicken feed is missing too. The feeder was knocked off it's stand and mostly empty.

Very unhappy

 

[M.sue]

I'd guess it's some animal that got in. If it was the chicken doing the picking & pecking, I'd think they'd still been chowing on it when you entered....they can be nasty as a vualture!

 

[wyoDreamer]

I have read on here that rats will do that.

 

[melissa41927]

weasel

 

[M.sue]

Yuck. Keep doing your homework and stop that varmit! Good luck!!

 

[202roosterlane]

Now that's just horrible!

I am very sorry for your loss. Yup, it's getting cold and now we need to relook at our coops and runs for critters coming in. I have been lucky all summer, but I worry the cold is going to bring in field mice. Again, I know that was painful, I am sorry

 

[M.sue]

Quote:
Field mice, yes. My home is surrounded by farm fields. This is my first yr. with chickens and I know some will show up. My coop is moveable and high off the ground. When it gets cold and wet mice look for dry ground. Haven't had a problem in the the house...thank God but we always have a few that try to take refuge in the garage. Our Schnauzer usually sniffs them out or a couple of traps do the trick.

 

[remuda1]

I've also heard that opossums will kill and eat in this way. They would also luuuurrve the chicken feed.

 

[mrpekinduck]

Weasel and so sorry for your loss

 

[Ole rooster]

As I've said before, I lost two white rock hens the same way and a possum got them. Then I got the possum and all her little babies. Don't know about a weasel. Never had one kill anything of mine.