Four chickens killed, no predator tracks?

[ninjascrub69]

Chicken.Lytle :

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They were all differant. The BLRW only had his head missing, the lakenvelder had everything eaten but the bottom portion (legs/thighs), the langshan was gone (only feathers left) and the polish had his entrails, and legs eaten.
Im not sure if they were killed during the day or night, i am gone all day, and dont get back untill its dark.

Try checking them before and after work.​

I do, but it still leaves all day, and a portion of the night for predators.

 

[ninjascrub69]

This is probably a stupid question, but if i kept a few geese in with my chickens, would they help with a predator problem?

 

[KatieBugg]

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Are you sure those are Groundhog tracks and not Coon tracks.

 

[Muggsmagee]

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Are you sure those are Groundhog tracks and not Coon tracks.

That is a great question!

 

[Ridgerunner]

That variety of damage makes it harder. The tracks are a great question. How sure are you those are groundhog? With that kind of damage my thoughts are it could be raccoon, bobcat, some variety of weasel, or maybe possum. Possum might be a stretch. Dog, fox, and coyote are possible, but it doesn't really sound like it. I think they would be more likely to carry the whole body away instead of eat it there. You might go online and google different animal prints if you are not sure. I'd especially look for raccoon and maybe mink if they are in your area.

With grown chickens, that pretty much leaves out rat. Could a hawk or owl, especially owl, get in there?

I know I'm not much help, but this one confuses me.

 

[sourland]

Groundhogs should be in hibernation now, so I doubt that those are ground hog tracks.

 

[ninjascrub69]

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I thought they were, but last week i saw one (that lives under my house

) walking along side the house, and i've got two people here that can confirm it.

 

[KatieBugg]

Groundhog tracks and coon tracks are pretty simular and could be mistaken for each other from someone not well versed in each, especially in fluffy snow.

 

[drumstick diva]

My guess is raccoon. I don't know if ground hogs would even go after chickens. If a raccoon didn't do this to your flock, you can be sure it's thinking about doing so.

 

[KatieBugg]

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Groundhogs will not go after chickens as they are vegetarian other than a bug here and there, it is extremely weird that a groundhog would be out with snow on the ground, they definately hibernate till about March. I would set a live trap and get whatever this thing is and either relocate or dispatch it.