Devastated, lost my entire flock in one night.

[darleneferguson57]

Yes I do plan on purchasing more chickens but after we get moved. We purchased five acres in north Florida and are starting our little homestead. I have two Welsch Harlequin ducks in an adjoining pen and they were unharmed. Thanks to everyone for their help and comments.

 

[cypressdrake]

I had a mink squeese thru 1 1/2 inch where my tin sideing was stripped with 2x4s The 2x4 is only 1 1/2 ince thick, I wouldn't think a mink could sqeeze thru, but I was wrong. He killed all 15 chickens that were 4 months old, and a week later returned and kill 10 more I had just moved in.The heads and throats were crushed, there was blood every where, but he did not eat the meat, only suck the blood.
I trapped him and nail him to a tree so all his buddies could see him and get the message. well 2 years went by and just this last week I have lost several more laying hens. Tonite another, I got 2 coons, but still think minks are coming from my duck pond. I have a barn that has geese posted out front by the door, and keep a radio playing load 24 hrs a day. That barn has never been hit. I also use to take my dogs to use it by these barns, and with all the recent louisiana rains the sent has been washed away and I hadn't been bringing then out that far, but tonite I walked them out to put some dog sent in the chicken yard.
A mink is not going to stay around a dogs turf, at least thats been my findings. I would put my money on a mink. They are territorial and only suck the blood. They don't like any other critters in their area. Good luck.

 

[darleneferguson57]

the netting was mangled, thats how I knew something came in from the top.

 

[darleneferguson57]

do we have minks in north florida? i have heard of beavers and otters but no minks. the only water we are close to is the atlantic ocean.

 

[Lovinglifedaily]

I am so sorry to hear of another person suffering as I have in the last month., We were the victim of a similar gruesome "crime scene". In one morning, finding out that we lost two pullets and a young Rooster (head and part of the breast missing). A Mink had fit through a two inch opening in their coop. I finally figured out weeks later who the culprit was and was able to successfully trap it using a "have a heart trap". But..It was a day late, It had another meal in mind, ruining his plans, I chased the mink off while in the process of killing my Peking Duck who was five times its size. Learning the hard way I was not prepared for anything attacking during the daylight hours ( 10:30 am ) Also it could fit through the chain link fence (since lined with chicken wire) Most importantly I added an obviously necessary chicken wire top to the run. I am surprised at the damage a little animal like this caused. I wish you luck in catching your varmint!

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Weasels are known for drinking blood. An attack only in the neck area with no flesh missing fits the weasel's MO. Anyway, that is my guess. Condolences.

 

[Mother2Hens]

Just read your post and wanted to express my sympathy. I can't imagine how horrible that would be. Best wishes in your move and new home.

 

[aart]

Weasels can get thru a 1" opening. I'm thinking of lining the entire coop in 1/2" hardware cloth.

 

[TW1Kell]

One other varmint that does the head/neck attacks: opossums. Since I've killed 4 'possums in my yard, I have not lost a single chicken.

 

[Suburban Stone]

I'm sorry for your loss. We lost our whole flock too over Thanksgiving. It is a terrible shock, a real setback, and very upsetting. My heart goes out to you.