Every last bird dead in the coop....

[zengrrl]

I went out to feed and water my birds before work and found every single bird of 7 with its throat torn out. What broke my heart was that most of them were trying to hide, under the ramp, behind the food bin. I can only imagine how terrorized they must have been. Blah.

I called my husband hysterical of course and he came home from work and cleaned up the mess. Now he is on a mission to avenge their deaths. I don't even know how whatever it was got in but I'm guessing either a weasel or raccoon. Can weasels climb? We have a large shed type building and the galvanized fencing over the top of the run and inside of the coop, the tiny hardcloth mesh all around. All doors etc were secure. At this point I'm believe it must have been some ninja's. We have checked the snow for tracks and since that day did find what we believe are weasel tracks but also possum and raccoon elsewhere on the property.

At this point, I'll wait til its warmer out and clean out all the pine shavings and investigate how it got in and truly fortify the coop. I thought we had Fort Knox, we had 2 years of safety until now. Lesson learned.

 

[animallover505]

Raccoon

These masked bandits are sly chicken predators as well, and with the added gift of the opposable thumb, they can be quite the burglar.
They can often figure out latches and door openings. If you know these guys are present in your neighborhood it may be a good idea to put a more complicated latch on your coop door or even go as far as putting a lock on it.

How will I know that it was a raccoon that killed my chicken?


If this burglar gains entry he will normally kill multiple birds. Most of the time you will find their bodies still in the chicken coop because he will have problems carrying them off. He'll usually kill by ripping into their neck.
Raccoon's will rip open the neck and eat at the crop and often go as far as to rip the breast open and eat on it as well. They are also good at stealing eggs.

 

[wafflechicken]

However unless you have a warm spell the coons are normally hibernating this time of year.

Not really, coons, mink, weasels etc are awake and mating this time of year like our birds are. I've seen 2 coons dead on the side of the road, saw one walking on the side of the road and just shot one in the front yard. Also, while coons may slow down, they don't hibernate like bears and other animals do. Their activity is slowed but they will totally venture forth midwinter to try to find food or better mating grounds or burrows.

zengrrl, I'm so sorry for your loss. I completely know what that experience is like and it's heartbreaking. Coons, weasels, mink and others can get through an amazingly small space. I've said before, I prefer a multi-prong approach - seal up anything that looks like my pinkie can get through, electric fencing and active trapping. Good luck with your next go around and I'm sorry for this one. It hurts, I know

 

[KayElle]

This same exact situation happened to us back in September. We trapped and discovered t was a family of raccoons... Was horrible!!!! It was our first experience with chickens, and like a week before we were supposed to start seeing eggs. We placed an order for more chicks, tightened up our coop and secured it with hardware cloth... Moved our coop to a more visible location, installed a motion detector light. Now I make sure they're closed up before dark. And hopefully we'll make it to eggs this time!! I feel your pain!!!

 

[fried green eggs]

I'm so sorry for your lose

 

[animallover505]

that coop coulda climbed a tree or something, jumped onto the roof of the run (if it was covered), and ripped a hole in it to get them.

 

[Henhousehijinks]

I'm so sorry, what a horrible start to the day !

 

[ivan3]

So sorry for your loss.

If throats were the only location of fatal injury/consumption, then I'd guess weasel or mink, they can climb very nimbly and squeeze through the eyes of needles (so to speak), raccoon's are rarely so `fastidious'. Set both a standard live trap and - check Youtube for instructions on how-to contruct a `weasel box' (big Victor Rat Trap is main ingredient).

Again, sorry - hang in there - retire the vermin and nurse your gumption.

 

[zengrrl]

I just read that weasels can climb trees! Omg first off I didn't even know we had weasels where I live. Also they can squeeze in an opening the size of a quarter though I didn't think I had any of those. It would have to drop onto my roof and swing under the eaves and from there drop down from the ceiling through the welded wire (larger openings). Even the run is inside so to speak. Then it would't have been able to get back out so Im thinking it must have figured out a way to get under. Its on a cement pad but there must be an opening somewhere. Thanks all for your words, it truly is every chicken keepers nightmare I know.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

If you have suspicions that your dealing with a raccoon, a couple of dog proof raccoon traps is a good investment. There is no, or almost no learning curve needed to use one.