Do hens kill other hens?

[Sharylva]

I had three hens. They learned how to fly over the top of the run and one of them came up missing. I covered the top of the run with chicken wire and thought they were safe. Then my barred rock came up missing. I did not see any sign of anything getting into their run. Since I was down to one hen I decided to go buy another one. I tried to get her as close to the same age as my speckled sussex that I still have. She pecked at the new chicken a little bit but they were in the run all day together and were laying down in the coop together when I closed it up but I got up this morning to find her dead in the coop. Her head was missing as well as one of her legs. Do you think the Speckled Sussex would have done this. I don't really know how something else could of got into the coop. I don't know what to do. I read it is best to have more than one chicken but I don't want to keep spending money on more chickens if she is just going to kill them.

 

[Cuban Longtails]

Yes hens can kill other hens, but that's not what is going on in your situation. Something, be it a coon, a possum, weasle, mink, etc, is enjoying a chicken buffett. If you could let us know what type animals are native to your area, we could narrow the list some. Also, it would help if you could post photos of your coop & run. Many times you think you have all the basics covered and something will find a way in where you least expect it.

 

[Buckguy20]

Raccoons or even a bob cat can kill and eat a chicken right through the wire. A coon is noted for pulling them apart through the wire.

 

[Sharylva]

Quote:
I live in the Texas Hill Country and have lots of wild animals that it could be. Coon, possums, coyotes etc. I took some pictures and uploaded them but I don't know how to attach them to a message so you can see them. If you can let me know how to do it I will show you what my coop and run look like. Thanks for your information.

 

[schellie69]

Chicken wire will keep the chickens in but nothing out I think you have raccoon or another predator killing your hens.

 

[Bi0s]

how to post pictures to the forums >>>> https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=504

 

[Cuban Longtails]

Quote:
I live in the Texas Hill Country and have lots of wild animals that it could be. Coon, possums, coyotes etc. I took some pictures and uploaded them but I don't know how to attach them to a message so you can see them. If you can let me know how to do it I will show you what my coop and run look like. Thanks for your information.

pm me your email addy and I'll email you back. I can't post it through byc because my account is through another poultry forum and the .com is filtered here.

Anywho, then you could email me the photos and I'll take a look, if you aren't able to figure out how to post them here. I usually upload mine to photobucket and then copy the code and paste in forum replies.

 

[Sharylva]

Quote:
Thanks for the link.

 

[WillieBoy]

Hens do kill each other for sure, but they don't eat or rip off the legs or head.If a hen has been killed by its commrades, you will see the hens picked fairly clean if they have time enough,meaning the flesh and guts eaten. I work part time at a chicken farm and have seen this many times.
However , as mentioned in your case, its not the other hen that did the deed.A predator took off the hens leg and head. I agree with the raccoon/opossum through the wire attack...

 

[Sharylva]

Quote:
I live in the Texas Hill Country and have lots of wild animals that it could be. Coon, possums, coyotes etc. I took some pictures and uploaded them but I don't know how to attach them to a message so you can see them. If you can let me know how to do it I will show you what my coop and run look like. Thanks for your information.

Sorry I've haven't responded for several days. I took your advice and figured out everywhere that i might be lacking. I now have my girls were they are safe at night. I am still working on making the run safe. I spotted opossoms in my yard so I know that is what caused me the heartache. I really miss my barred rocks, Roxie. No one has a barrred rocks about the same age(20 wks) for sale in my area so I'm going to keep the Speckled Sussex and Americana that I recently purchased unitl I can add a Barred Rocks to my little coop. She was so sweet, I really miss her. They really make such sweet pets. I will do everything I can to protect them! Thanks again for the advise when the troubles were dire.