Dead kitten in laying box? What in the world?

[centavo71]

I haven't posted here in a long long long time but something happened yesterday that freaked me out. I went out with the kids to gather eggs and found a dead kitten (probably a few months old) in one of the laying boxes. This has been such a strange and tragic summer/fall for me and this about put me over the edge. First, we have no kittens here and I never ever see stray cats here so WHERE did this wee thing come from and why was it dead in my chicken coop?! It looked fine except for one little bloody spot near it's back end. Would that be a weasel? My chickens were all fine and accounted for. A month ago we had to put down our Pyrenees/Heeler. Three weeks ago I had a HUGE grizzly bear hanging around with my chicken coop (ACK) and last week my pup was taken by coyotes (still really hard for me to even talk about let alone explain to the kids...) and now this dead kitten. I understand that we live in a wilderness area and I am to expect wild animals around but I am tired of dying things. Oh yes, there was a question in here...do you think that it could be a weasel or what else do you think could have killed this kitten in this manner?

If so, is there anything I can do to protect my chickens?

(thanks for listening to me blather on...)
Penny

 

[jerseygirl1]

I've had my cat bitten in the butt a few times like that - raccoon - usually the vet said when it's on the back end, it means it was running away frmosomething - Be cautious of rabies
Poor thing,

 

[chick-george]

Is your laying box in a secure coop or is it accessible all the time? And by the Yikes!! a Bear?

 

[centavo71]

It is in a coop but the chickens free range so have a little door to go in and out...I suppose anything could go in and out...we just have not have anything bother them yet (the bear was just looking, lol) and they have been there around 2 yrs now.

 

[jerseygirl1]

That kitten could have been bitten and crawled into the next box to get away and just died - it doesn't sound like it was actually bitten in the next box

 

[Ironmaiden]

Good Grief! That must have been a shock. (Not to mention the bear) I would go for raccoon or other predator. Could even be a rat. Sorry to hear about all this. These things seem to happen close together for some reason. It stinks.

 

[theFox]

It even could have been your chickens that did in the kitten, several large birds and one small kitten would be no contest.

I'm not saying they did, just could have.

 

[Catstar68]

Quote:
That was my thought. Poor kitty.
I'm sorry you are going through all this. It sounds terrible.

 

[Dora'smom]

I am so sorry you are having all these sad times. Sometimes things do happen in groupings, I don't know why. I hope that you have a turn at good health for all your animals, and that no predators (especially grizzleys) visit you from now on.

That little kitten is at peace now, and I hope you find peace, too.

 

[BunnyMomma]

I will keep you in my prayers.
I would be freaked out too. I hope things turn around for you.
Bunny