Graphic image _ whos to blame

[kjc1990]

Who did this to my 3 5week old chicks ? They were found scattered around their secure shed ... Hidden under things like hay bales... Half eaten ... Some people think rats... Are they capable of taking on these bigger chicks?

 

[kjc1990]

 

[aart]

Could be rats... or coons or possum.....shed obviously not secure.
What is your location?

 

[kjc1990]

I have a stable door with mesh wiring all over it - with 4 stone walls.... I think its pretty secure... Thats a bit judgy "shed obviously not secure"... My location is North West Ireland. We do not have coons or possums. So the only explanation is rats. Although I have traps down and have caught nothing.

 

[Bryant Redhawk]

In Eire the prime predator of fowl is the Mink, next in line is the Fox and then Dogs.
From the look of it and the locations you found them, I would say you have a mink problem.
That would also explain the no rats in the traps.

A mink is similar to a weasel in ability to squeeze through small openings.
You might need something like a live trap to capture the rascal.

I don't think it would have been a Fox since they are well known for hauling away their prey.
A dog would not have hidden it for later consumption.

Check your door to see if there might be spaces that a mink could wriggle through or if there is a part of the mesh covering of your door that the rascal has pushed free. Then it is time to give the whole space the once over just to be sure. It also could have burrowed in somewhere, so check outside and inside.
I wish you great luck in capturing or dispatching that rascal.

 

[aart]

I have a stable door with mesh wiring all over it - with 4 stone walls.... I think its pretty secure... Thats a bit judgy "shed obviously not secure"... My location is North West Ireland. We do not have coons or possums. So the only explanation is rats. Although I have traps down and have caught nothing.

Putting your location in your profile definitely helps when asking about predator issues.

What sized mesh is on your stable doors?

There are many different kinds of 'rats'...some quite large and voracious....probably different techniques to setting up a trap...
..... describing the kind of traps are you using might help folks offer viable suggestions.