Entire flock found dead UPDATE post 23

[jdywntr]

Many predators, weasel, hawk, raccoon tend to eat heads and necks only. Were there any telltale markings on the ones that were not eaten and just killed? Like small or large teeth marks, gashes, where were the injuries. What was eaten on the few that were?
Sorry for the graphic questions but many predators do have telltale signs.

Sorry for the loss.

 

[CluckyCharms]

The entire flock?? My gosh. I'm so sorry for your loss. I don't have a clue about predators really, but when you say only 1 or 2 had any signs of being eaten...may I ask what those signs were? I mean - what injuries did they sustain exactly? Is it at all possible that this was not a predator, but a sickness/illness that overtook them, or a mean-spirited human?

Just dreadful, sorry again.

 

[Oregon Blues]

First of all, my deepest sympathy. What a horrible loss.

With that many and no marks, I suspect a weasel. Very few predators will kill more than the one that they are going to eat at that time. A dog will kill that many, but there would be a lot of feathers and some indication of how the birds were killed.

It would not be disease with everyone dying all at the same time, but it could be contaminated feed or a deliberate poisoning. Deaths by even a fast spreading illness would be spread out over a couple of days.

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

im leaning toward wessel as well. Some dogs can climb fences, both these animals kill just to kill, most kill and eat what they want, and they try to take it with them. Weasels can climb anything.

 

[kacky]

We had one of our good friends, a professional trapper come. We piled the bodies up against the fence and set foot traps up on the outside of the fence near each pile of bodies. I went outside later that day and heard the traps go off sure enough we had both of them.

 

[drumstick diva]

Kacky so glad you got two of them but, keep your guard up, they may have relatives in the area.

 

[tomingreeneco]

Maybe some kids with nothing better to do. With that many birds killed at once it is either a dog or human.

 

[mrspabody]

I'm so very sorry for your loss.... are you going to try to trap it? I'm so interested to hear if you do and have success.

We had one of our good friends, a professional trapper come. We piled the bodies up against the fence and set foot traps up on the outside of the fence near each pile of bodies. I went outside later that day and heard the traps go off sure enough we had both of them.

 

[Mattemma]

Hope you get them.So sorry for your loss.Poor birds.

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

keep in mind, that what you trap now, may not be the original culprit, since you are using dead bait....likely the coons skunks and possumsnwill come out now.