Devastated! Warning Graphical

[jastech]

My son and I have been raising Red Star, Delaware and Barred Rock chickens a long with Pekin, Rouen, Runner and Muscovy ducks. I'm disabled so the eggs help the grocery bill and selling the extra eggs pays their food, treats and on utilities. My son went out to feed and this is what he saw.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

Omg no! What happened?!?!!

I am so sorry. My heart would be broken.

Your poor babies.

 

[Swbertrand1]

That's HORRIBLE! Your date/time stamp says May 07, 2021. Is there a question you're trying to get answered?

 

[jastech]

Oh, there in a 6' chicken wire fence. We had about 40 chickens and 6 ducks not including the Muscovy. A few days ago I awoke to my dog barking at 4:45 a.m., listening I could hear one of my goats screaming so I got up, dressed, grabbed a pistol and flash light then headed down the stairs. Thought as I approached front door and grabbed rifle too. Located goat with a loose dog from town tearing into her stifle, it took off when light was on it, I raised rifle and fired, knowing I didn't hit it. Should have dropped pistol in left hand! I have lost 4 dogs via poison, chickens, ducks, pressure washer, gas and??? City Council meeting tonight, I'm tired of these loose animals! So now almost 2 years worth of raising and caring for??? I sold my pickup and built a different coop/run. If you would like I'll post the pics here?

 

[jastech]

Don't know what would just kill them all and leave them? One momma duck was on her nest dead. Game Warden has been called and he's trying to figure this out. Others told me it must have been an owl??

 

[Swbertrand1]

What's the question though, how to stop strays from getting to your birds, how to stop poisoning of your flock, or something else? What's the issue with gas and the pressure washer??

 

[Swbertrand1]

Don't know what would just kill them all and leave them? One momma duck was on her nest dead. Game Warden has been called and he's trying to figure this out. Others told me it must have been an owl??

Check your enclosure CAREFULLY. There are a number of predators that will kill for sport: raccoons and opossums come to mind. Do a head count too. If this was an aerial attack (hawk or owl), you're likely missing a few birds. Same goes for a fox that might have entered through a torn section of the run.

It looks like a chicken wire enclosure - those won't keep much OUT of the run/coop area, but will keep your birds IN the area. Do you have any sort of cover that seals the TOP of the run/coop area? More photos of your setup will help get some ideas about what happened, but I'd spend my time looking over EVERY INCH of the enclosure to be SURE there is no breach.

Once you've done that, you can rule out some things...

 

[jastech]

Sorry I'm rambling on, it too quiet now, my son and I are very distraught. There has been a bird dog reported running loose, that's what I shot at in the goats area. Will they do this to chickens and ducks?

 

[nuthatched]

That's awful, I'm sorry.
I'd suggest getting game cameras or motion lights for security.
What's the coop like? Is the run covered? any dig areas or bends where something climbed? Dogs, foxes and coyotes will kill everything at eat little. So will coons.
Chicken wire is called chicken wire since chickens are the only animals that can't get through it. You might need to fence in your whole animal property and add electric line.

 

[jastech]

As mentioned I sold my pickup for enough to build this coop/run. Will this work? Have enough to build 3 more.