First predator attack

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

Really? The Humane Society takes them away for free? Up in Northern California they refer you to the local Federal Trapper. It's $25 to set a trap, then they come and humanely euthanize it with an injection and take it away. It's $12.50 for subsequent traps. It was worth it for us when we had a large skunk family living in our backyard, with babies running around our yard during the day. Up here, it is illegal to relocate any wild animal. They have to kill them where they're caught.

Anyhow, glad you caught it and have such helpful local resources. You may want to keep setting the trap for a while to make sure there aren't any other critters after your birds.

 

[Eg-Head]

I also live in Southern Californina, that information about the Humane Society was great! I live in Orange County and hope they will do the same for FREE. Although, we have rats too. Just caught another one last night. Those are small enough to throw them in the trash cans. If you can, please take some pictures of your coop.

 

[Murs]

Thank you for posting. I'm also in So Cal. I have a very similar set up to what you have. I have a chain link enclosed space 10x10 ft with one side up against a block wall. Inside that area I have a wooden chicken coop up on cement blocks so the chickens have additional shade. I even have a chain link floor which is secured to the chain link walls tp [revent anything from digging under the side. I don't lock them inside the coop and they actually roost outside the coop. I haven't had any problems for months.

This morning I went out before work to give fresh water and check for eggs. They were not very active. Just standing there. Normally they pace at the gate and can't wait to see what treat I have for them. I only saw three so I thought Roxy (my Rhode Island Red) was inside the coop. When I checked for eggs the coop was empty. As I looked around I saw her feathers outside the coop. All that's left is a clump of tail feathers and a wing.

I'm thinking it was a raccoon. I didn't think about a possum until I saw this post. In my case, the critter did not get inside. Instead it reached through the chain link and pulled the chicken through. Whatever it was is really strong because it widended the hole of the chain link and caused it to bow out. It was a really sad seen.

This afternoon when I got home I went out to take a closer look and secure the pen. There was blood on the perches. It turns out one of my other chickens is also injured. She was standing on one foot. When she put the injured one down I can see she is missing a toe. My poor babies!! I can't imagine what they went through.

Tonight they are locked inside the hen house and I did secure some extra pieces of wood around the gate.

 

[Rwest]

Im glad you caught the killer. But, you posted that you zip tied hardware cloth over the openings. Do yourself and the chicks a favor, screw or nail your screen to something solid. Coons, possums and any other perdator will chew thru the zip ties.