devested to find our flock massacred

[Devinetex]

We live in far south Texas. We built a chicken tractor made of cattle fence and covered in 18 gauge hardware cloth and a tarp. We got up a few days ago to find something had chewed our tarp all around the bottom and finally chewed a 4" hole big enough for the predator to get in through the cattle fence which is 4" holes. We had 16 chicks 4 - 8 weeks old. 12 were just laying dead around their home. After a few hours we had 1 pop up out of nowhere wanting to get back in. The other 3 were never seen. There was no blood, no destroyed bodies, however we did find a wing under one of the chicks. We were all shocked to wake up to this. So sad! We do not know what animal could do this. But I found out a neighbor had the same thing happen to his coup several weeks ago. I made many phone calls looking for some kind of help and finally talked to a game warden who is suppose to come out today and talk to us. We would like to know what animals can do this and how to try and trap it. I think it lives in our area since I know of 2 incidents and who knows how many more. We are sick about this and are new to raising chickens. Any advise would be appreciated.

 

[Bsmac]

We live in far south Texas. We built a chicken tractor made of cattle fence and covered in 18 gauge hardware cloth and a tarp. We got up a few days ago to find something had chewed our tarp all around the bottom and finally chewed a 4" hole big enough for the predator to get in through the cattle fence which is 4" holes. We had 16 chicks 4 - 8 weeks old. 12 were just laying dead around their home. After a few hours we had 1 pop up out of nowhere wanting to get back in. The other 3 were never seen. There was no blood, no destroyed bodies, however we did find a wing under one of the chicks. We were all shocked to wake up to this. So sad! We do not know what animal could do this. But I found out a neighbor had the same thing happen to his coup several weeks ago. I made many phone calls looking for some kind of help and finally talked to a game warden who is suppose to come out today and talk to us. We would like to know what animals can do this and how to try and trap it. I think it lives in our area since I know of 2 incidents and who knows how many more. We are sick about this and are new to raising chickens. Any advise would be appreciated.

Hello, Sorry for the loss of your chickens, very upsetting. Did the hardware cloth go clear to the ground? It should go to the ground and then lay at least 2 feet wide hardware cloth on the ground around the perimeter with some metal stakes holding it in place to deter critters from digging underneath to get at the birds. What do you have for roof area protection?

 

[TexasBlues]

Possum, raccoon, gray fox, or ringtail cat could all get through a tarp and 4” hole.

 

[Devinetex]

Our cloth does go all the way down, but what's weird is the hole it made was made 4 or 5 inches above the ground and there was no signs of them trying to dig under anywhere. The ground was not disturbed at all anywhere around. What we have is a chicken tractor. It's made to be able to move around the yard.

 

[Devinetex]

Possum, raccoon, gray fox, or ringtail cat could all get through a tarp and 4” hole.

Do they chew through 19 gauge hardware cloth?

 

[TexasBlues]

I reckon a determined raccoon would get through.

 

[Devinetex]

Whatever it was it was determined and successful. We had just had a bad hail storm and our power was out for 24 hours. Unfortunately something happened to our camera system and we were unaware it could not record properly so our cameras were of no use to us.

 

[TexasBlues]

Do you have a live trap?

 

[The Moonshiner]

Do they chew through 19 gauge hardware cloth?

So this is the basic question right?
What predator in Texas could chew through hardware cloth, enter a 4" hole and would kill several juveniles but leave them lay and not eat them?

 

[Devinetex]

yes