Having read so much information here about predators I am still undecided as to what caused the death of one of my chickens any suggestions would be welcome....
My chickens are housed inside overnight in a brick built coop with wooden doors and the "windows" are composed of very thick mesh - not even a wasp can enter through the windows as the mesh is very closely knit. Three days ago all of the chickens were secured inside their home - all areas checked for any sign of predators and all chickens appeared well and healthy. The following morning one chicken was found dead inside the coop - she only had her beak and nothing else to show for her face - the flesh was only apparent from her crop area downwards - first thoughts were that she died of some cause and that the other chickens had pecked at her corpse causing the resulting image -this was shocking to say the least as had there been any signs of her being ill she would have been isolated and safe.....
I examined her body and found a hole appoximately 2" just below her wind - the hole was perfectly round and her entire breast on the left side was missing - I cannot even begin to think that my other chickens did this - there was a small hole chewed away from the bottom of one of the doors - certainly large enough for a rat to enter - a trap has been set but no predator has entered since the event -
Question...
Could a rat have caused the hole in the chicken?
Could it have been a weasel or pine marten?
I am so concerned for my other chickens! ducks and geese are housed separately and they are all OK at the moment - whatever it was I need to know....... anyone have any ideas as to what I am looking for and effective means of trapping? We have a rat trap to attempt to catch whatever it was that killed her - it is housed at the door entrance that was chewed away to allow the predator to enter.
Thank You for any suggestions - I can't help my girl but I can maybe prevent any of my others from meeting the same fate!
Suzie
My chickens are housed inside overnight in a brick built coop with wooden doors and the "windows" are composed of very thick mesh - not even a wasp can enter through the windows as the mesh is very closely knit. Three days ago all of the chickens were secured inside their home - all areas checked for any sign of predators and all chickens appeared well and healthy. The following morning one chicken was found dead inside the coop - she only had her beak and nothing else to show for her face - the flesh was only apparent from her crop area downwards - first thoughts were that she died of some cause and that the other chickens had pecked at her corpse causing the resulting image -this was shocking to say the least as had there been any signs of her being ill she would have been isolated and safe.....
I examined her body and found a hole appoximately 2" just below her wind - the hole was perfectly round and her entire breast on the left side was missing - I cannot even begin to think that my other chickens did this - there was a small hole chewed away from the bottom of one of the doors - certainly large enough for a rat to enter - a trap has been set but no predator has entered since the event -
Question...
Could a rat have caused the hole in the chicken?
Could it have been a weasel or pine marten?
I am so concerned for my other chickens! ducks and geese are housed separately and they are all OK at the moment - whatever it was I need to know....... anyone have any ideas as to what I am looking for and effective means of trapping? We have a rat trap to attempt to catch whatever it was that killed her - it is housed at the door entrance that was chewed away to allow the predator to enter.
Thank You for any suggestions - I can't help my girl but I can maybe prevent any of my others from meeting the same fate!
Suzie
