Exposed skull possible broken neck?

[LadyCraig]

Took out the whole flock...I'm betting a coon or fox. leaning towards fox...they get their thrills killing everything in sight. was there anything missing from the 2 dead birds?

I was guessing coon because there were some parts in their water dish and I have always been told that they "wash" their food. It didn't eat very much of the two that were killed, some organs, found the stomach contents of one.

Although there are a few of stray/feral cats that pass through these parts, if they can climb chicken wire that could have been the culprit.

I set up my game camera in the run last night to see if it returned...going to check it in a bit to see if I can identify the assailant!

 

[makmm]

We doctored twice a day for a week, then she was spunky enough to be reintroduced into the flock and then we doctored once a day with vetricin for a while. Its personal preferance how much you doctor them. I tried to leave our hen alone and not pester her (besides for food, water, and doctoring) because I know I'm grumpy and don't want to be bugged when I don't feel good.

 

[FrankHomestead]

I was guessing coon because there were some parts in their water dish and I have always been told that they "wash" their food. It didn't eat very much of the two that were killed, some organs, found the stomach contents of one.

Although there are a few of stray/feral cats that pass through these parts, if they can climb chicken wire that could have been the culprit.

I set up my game camera in the run last night to see if it returned...going to check it in a bit to see if I can identify the assailant!

A feral cat would easily climb that. My domestic cat climbs my chain link fence every day.
A fox could easily as well.
With the birds who survived, sounds to me like they we're grabbed and shaken, I think either animal would do that.
If your girls survive I would take out the chicken wire and replace it with either hardware cloth or chain link and put a top on it. And I would make sure the girls are locked securely in the coop every night.
it's also a good idea to bury the fencing a foot or so into the ground because fox will tunnel in. they are persistent, crafty little bastards.

 

[coach723]

Don't know what your coop set up is like but I am in N. Florida, so understand the heat issue. I have large windows that are covered in 1/2" hardware cloth on the inside, and have hinged covers that I can close on the outside on the few really cold nights we get in winter, so lots of ventilation. I also have a 12 volt fan (purchased at camping world, for RV use) that I run in the rafters of the house in the summer time which helps with ventilation and keeps the air moving, and my roof has a ridge vent. Just some ideas that may help.

 

[FrankHomestead]

Don't know what your coop set up is like but I am in N. Florida, so understand the heat issue. I have large windows that are covered in 1/2" hardware cloth on the inside, and have hinged covers that I can close on the outside on the few really cold nights we get in winter, so lots of ventilation. I also have a 12 volt fan (purchased at camping world, for RV use) that I run in the rafters of the house in the summer time which helps with ventilation and keeps the air moving, and my roof has a ridge vent. Just some ideas that may help.

The roof vent is genius. never thought of that! wonder if they make solar powered window fans that pull the air out...

 

[coach723]

Mine is solar. 12 V fan hooked to car battery, with solar charger. I have 3 solar panels, but plan to add a couple more panels. Depends on how much power your fans draw. I have two small fans that run in the windows also, but they don't move as much air as the one in the rafters, I wanted lots of air movement as it also helps cut down on fowl pox. Mine also runs my automatic coop door.

 

[FrankHomestead]

Mine is solar. 12 V fan hooked to car battery, with solar charger. I have 3 solar panels, but plan to add a couple more panels. Depends on how much power your fans draw. I have two small fans that run in the windows also, but they don't move as much air as the one in the rafters, I wanted lots of air movement as it also helps cut down on fowl pox. Mine also runs my automatic coop door.

Very cool

 

[LadyCraig]

So far so good...they aren't looking any worse. Hen Solo with the possible broken neck appears to have a little more control and is holding her head in a more natural position rather than laying limp backwards. Still not eating or drinking on their own that I can tell, though some bowel movements over the past 2 days so I guess this is a good sign.

My run was all chicken wire, 3 feet of 1/4" hardware cloth around bottom, and about 1' out covering ground at edge, then covered in cement pavers around the perimeter. There is no topsoil here (maybe 1-3" at deepest then solid bedrock) so I couldn't bury it but definitely no way to dig under. The weak point was the top cover - I had nylon bird netting that has a palm size tear that must be where we were infiltrated...shouldawouldacoulda. Will replace with chicken wire or other metal mesh if my two survive.

 

[coach723]

I'm glad your hens are looking better! Given time and support hopefully they will make a full recovery. Unfortunately chicken wire is not very secure. It will keep chickens in, but won't keep most predators out. Foxes can go over a fence like it isn't even there and it will barely slow down most predators. 1/2" or smaller hardware cloth is much more secure. If you can manage that the security provided is worth the cost over chicken wire. And the nylon netting is really only good for flying predators. Unfortunately this happens a lot. We don't tend to think like predators and they are very, very determined. Best of luck to you.

 

[CapricornFarm]

I was guessing coon because there were some parts in their water dish and I have always been told that they "wash" their food. It didn't eat very much of the two that were killed, some organs, found the stomach contents of one.

Although there are a few of stray/feral cats that pass through these parts, if they can climb chicken wire that could have been the culprit.

I set up my game camera in the run last night to see if it returned...going to check it in a bit to see if I can identify the assailant!

Chicken wire keeps chickens in but does not keep predators out. You need welded wire or hardware cloth.