GRAPHIC photo added post 20. Poor gal..RIP.

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:
Great Horned Owls will. Game and Fish referred to them as "killing machines."

 

[taraann81]

There would be no way for an owl toget into my coop, so I don't think thats the problem. I put the latest victim in a live trap near the door. I will do a through search for openings tomorrow. I'll go in with no lights and check for day light coming in anywhere. I will also check for tunnels in the litter good advice. I did a quick search of the exterior and didn't see any openings so far.

I'll let you know what I've caught in the morning..My guess is oppossum....If I happen to catch a skunk I'll be back on here in a panic ein the am

 

[Hound]

Quote:
Great Horned Owls will. Game and Fish referred to them as "killing machines."

Ours never did

 

[abhaya]

sounds like a weasel to me. They can get into tiny spaces. I would check the coop very carefully and cover any small openings you find with hardware cloth or 1/2 inch wire fencing. vents everything. Now that it has gotten in it is gonna keep trying.

 

[taraann81]

Horrible morning! I still haven't caught the culprit or even figured out vvhat it is or vvhere it is getting in. I juts got in from the coop and one of my poor RIR hens, has its face bitten off. The beak is completely gone just a hole into her face...the vvorst part is she is still alive. Dh vvon't be home until 6 tonight. So I have to go out there and dispose of her..not even sure hovv to do it. I've done tiny quail before..easy, stun them vvith a head hit over the counter and then snipped off tehir heads vvith scissors....not sure hovv to do a chicken.

 

[Mattemma]

So sorry to read about your latest hen. Once you kill her could you place her(or part) into a havahart trap to try and get the killer? Could you put the hens into a dog crate in the garage as a temp solution? Hope you get the killer soon.

 

[taraann81]

I have had a trap set everyday since the day I posted this thread originally. I had it out side the coop vvith the remains of the guinea in it for a fevv days..nothing.

My DH attempted to put it inside the coop...vve caught chickens..

I vvill put one of my dogs in their in a crate tonight... and keep trying to catch this thing.

I am getting a trail cam for chritsmas from my dad. VVish I had it already..

 

[MysticScorpio82]

I was originally leaning towards mink or weasel; but after this last attack I am not so sure. I couldn't imagine a mink much less a weasel being capable of biting the face (including the entire face) off a chicken. I would imagine the predator would have to be larger to do that much damage. In light of this last attack, I would have to say it's a coon.

Racoons can fit into tiny places. Racoons can kill just for fun (so they don't always eat what they kill). It is very possible there is a spot in your coop that the coon is prying open to get in. It may look secure, but I would suggest you press on the walls and roof of your coop (pay particular attention to the corners, along seam lines where one piece of wood / plywood would conect to another). See if you can find a spot that isn't nailed down right and will push open. Even if it is just a small opening, a racoon can squeeze in.

I am so sorry for your losses!

 

[un-named]

weasels come to mind, and it takes only a small opening for them to get through.

 

[Knock Kneed Hen]

Check your coop for any space that is bigger than your thumb. A weasel or mink can squeeze through any hole that it can get it's head through.

How awful!! I'd camp out in the coop myself and catch the culprit in the act (and hopefully also find where it's coming in).