Flock decimated! Dog or coyote(s)?

[ChickaD]

Sorry to finally get active again in BYC just when we have bad news...Friday afternoon we discovered a massacre in our yard

, where our flock free ranges, generally without problem (in 10 years, only one daytime raid where a single coyote hurried in, grabbed a chicken, and left...years ago, two attempted attacks by fox).
We discovered piles of feathers all over the roomy yard, and three dead chickens, including our rooster. The dead chickens had a back wound and seemed to have a broken neck, but weren't eaten. That part sounds like dog. Our flock of 16 has been reduced to 9 survivors, as gradually they came out of the weedy underbrush; some had back wounds, which we're treating. 4 birds were missing, which is puzzling...unless after being attacked they were just able to escape into the weedy perimeter and died there.
I have read the helpful sticky on this thread as well as tons of other pages...just looking for your ideas. Is it possible for one animal to wreak that much havoc?

On top of everything, I was home when it happened! I wasn't feeling well and was napping, heard vague chicken squawking and thought nothing of it, considering the inane reasons our chickens usually squawk ("Someone's in my favorite nesting box!")

 

[BellLisamo]

The same thing happened to my chickens one time. I found my rooster, completely WHOLE, not a scratch on him (must have been a heart attack from the commotion). I KNOW it wasnt dogs. I've seen the coyotes on my property, so I KNOW it was them.

 

[deerman]

Yes sound like a dog attack, had one kill 22 chicken in less than an hour. Fox or coyotes would take a few, but they dont leave dead ones behind.

Coons will kill lots but will eat parts off each one.

 

[ChickaD]

Thanks, your input helps solve this dilemma - not only what to do about it now, but how to avoid the same thing in the future. I still feel like I'm in a state of shock. Next on my list is talking to a friendly neighbor down the road with a dog...just in case it got loose...not looking forward to that call.

 

[CMV]

Sorry for your losses.

 

[Badhbh]

I'm so sorry to hear that. It sounds like a dog. We had 2 dogs come in and kill 17 birds in less than a half hour. Dind't try to eat any of them, just came in and broke necks

 

[seedcorn]

Must have been something in air today as 3 dogs hit my 15. Now down to 2 trio's. I'm VERY thankful they killed the roosters along w/hens today as I was long roosters. Didn't want to lose any but if you got to lose them, lose roosters. Normally, they kill the hens and leave the roosters alone.

So now, they don't get out for a while because dogs will return until they are stopped...

dogs just kill for fun of it. Coyote's kill and take away to eat.

 

[ChickaD]

Quote:
Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear about that! With everything else on your mind, thanks for posting.

Sorry for your loss, too, Badhbh...don't tell me that was today, too!

Did anyone have any "mystery chickens" apparently killed but missing from the yard? I can't figure out that part of the puzzle.

 

[shelleyd2008]

I would also say dog.

We had what I assume to be coyotes attack a few weeks ago (since some hens and a young pup disappeared) and there were no feathers anywhere.

Sorry you lost your birds.

 

[luvmychickas]

I am so sorry, I definately feel your pain. Last Sunday, I was cleaning my guinea pigs cage went to dump the shavings looked up and there was a fox running after my chickens

It killed 2 and left them (I think I scared it before it could take them) injured 1 and 1 other was missing

. Of course one of the dead ones was my Speckled Sussex who was one of my originals and the only one at that point that layed everyday besides my duck. I cried my eyes out

I felt so bad, I was right there and it still happened. The injured one is doing great but its a tramatic experience for everyone me included.