Dead Chickens

[chirv]

We have recently had 3 chickens die with injuries to their necks. We had two who had small injuries who have recovered. We do have a rooster and we're wondering if the rooster is doing the killing. A neighbor who thinks it may be a weasel. Would anyone have any advice. We have since taken the rooster out, but it's winter and don't want to be cruel to him. If it is the rooster he will be taken care of, but we want to be sure it's him.

Any advice?

 

[Mrs. K]

I don't think it is the rooster. I think it is something like a weasel or a coon, or your fencing.

If the fencing is too large, chickens can stick their head through the opening, and panicking pull it back hard enough to scratch themselves. I have had that happen, but also, a predator can grab them and break their necks.

Once I had a weasel get in and kill 18, did not eat anything but they all had injuries to the neck.

Mrs. K

 

[donrae]

I've never had a rooster kill another bird. Neck wounds sure sounds like weasel!

 

[redsoxs]

My vote is for weasel as well. Sorry about your lost chickens.

 

[lahowardjr]

I've heard of large rats doing the same. They can get into anything they can stick their head thru. Check for holes in the rafter area. They will often take a chicken's head off.

 

[bobbi-j]

I vote weasel.

 

[Angel16]

Hi would a electric fance stop a weasel from getting in to the chicken coop do you think?

 

[bobbi-j]

No. They can fit through very small holes in your fence or coop. They're small and don't need much of an opening to get in.

 

[bugglesmommy]

Last year I had the exact same problem and also thought it was a weasel, but it turned out in my case to be the rooster. It turns out the "pullets" were young roosters and the rooster didn't want the cockerels around.

 

[Angel16]

No. They can fit through very small holes in your fence or coop. They're small and don't need much of an opening to get in.

even if i get really small holed electric fance and put it around both the coop and the run so they can't get under the coop or in the run??? well buiding the coop we put chicken wire down first and then the floor, is that any help???