Heartbroken after losing 75+ birds, 2 turkeys, & 10 ducks.

[Stajemahal]

My day wasn't started off on the right nor the left foot, more like on my knees.

I woke to finding my coop slaughtered. Just completely slaughtered.
A handful of my birds were still alive, around 5 or 6, I'd say.
It was a massacre. The gore didn't bother me. The overwhelming feeling that
I had let my poultry down made me vomit.
I'm looking for some predator proofing ideas.
I'm already going to be laying traps.

I have images... but they are not for the weak of heart.

 

[sourland]

So very sorry for the devastation. Do you have any idea as to what the predators were ? Almost sounds like the work of multiple dogs. The only time I lost that many in one incident, it was dogs.

 

[Trish1974]

I think putting up electric fencing around your coop/run would give you the most protection. That is easy to do; no man needed!

 

[Al Capon]

Hope you kill the culprit.

I've never seen coyotes go on a killing spree. Around here, they usually grab their dinner and split before they get caught, only to come back in the following days/nights for more free food. Sure sounds like some dogs by the way they killed everything.

 

[Trish1974]

Do you know how the predator got in? Opened the door, dug under the coop, squeezed through a hole? I am so sorry you had to go through that.

 

[True Patriot]

A pack of coyotes, could be. Usually even in a pack they kill for food. Grabbing what they can and running off. Have you actually seen this pack? I'm wondering if they haven't interbred with some feral dogs. That would give you a whole new set of circumstances. With that many losses at once, I would contact your DNR for help and to at least notify them that there are mass livestock killings in your area. They may be able to help.

 

[Stajemahal]

We would all like to help you figure out the predator proofing.
We need more details though.

What is the coop made of?
What is the run made of?
Is there a roof of wire or solid material on the run?
Can you add hot wire around it?
(It comes in solar powered too)

Such a devastating loss! I am so sorry.

We have buried railroad ties around the outside run to deter animals from digging in.
A metal frame from an old trampoline rounds out one area.
Aviary netting, of course.
As I said, hardware cloth was skimped on.
It's hard for a man to listen to a woman when he is building it.

 

[21hens-incharge]

For now..... Find a way to lock up the survivors.

Lock em up tight.

 

[morganalefae]

I'm sorry about all you babies. I agree with sourland do you have a idea what it could have been? as that many taken sounds like a pack.

 

[50-45-1]

If you could give us some more details.
It sounds like it happened overnite? Where are you located as this will also give us an idea of the preditors in your area.
If it was outside during the day, i would also agree, dogs are likely as they kill volumes in a short amount of time. Chickens are defenseless, against most everything.
I am so sorry for your loss.