Help, I came home to a chicken massacre...

[welasharon]

I am not a PETA advocate but I am a compassionate human being who does not like to see animals made to deliberately suffer. If you have to kill them at least don't let them suffer and I must admit...when I read that suggestion I figured you had at some point used that method if you were suggesting it. I am sorry if I assumed that incorrectly but you must see that it certainly read that way. How were we to know that you hadn't?
sharon

 

[Mommy 2 Wee Ones]

Fowlman, I am so sorry for your loss, I can not even imagine what you went through and are still going through. I agree with you on what you said, if you are in my yard & do not belong there, you are on your way to the great beyond. My aunt lived in the city & would pick up traps from Animal Control to catch all the possums that were hanging out in her back yard. She could not even let her little dogs out in the back yard at night, for fear of the possums attacking them.

And for those who are all up in arms as to what Fowlman stated, read the heading: Predators & Pests, it is not going to be all about fuzzy chicks & sweetness. It is about owners dealing with wild & domestic animals going after their flocks. So if you don't like it or agree with it, do not read it.

For the OP, I hope you hen recovers soon, and will take to any new chickens you may get.

 

[welasharon]

Quote:
Have no problem with killing something that is after your animals...just do it quickly and as humanely as possible.
ETA: Oh, and make sure you are killing the right one.

 

[PJCluck]

I had a similar problem, lost five hens. I now have three traps set on the outside of my pen with tasty, rotting meat. I caught one raccoon so far, but I am desperate to catch some fisher cats. I suggest you get traps and set them around your pen.

 

[BigDaddy'sGurl]

Quote:
The people "up in arms" were not reading this thread in "predators and pests". This topic was moved here, to predators and pests, from emergencies, injuries, cures. So the people reading this were not originally in the wrong section. The topic has simply been moved here since it turned into a predator/pest control discussion after a suggestion about how to destroy neighborhood cats. The people who got upset never intentionally wanted to read about predator control. They wanted to read about healing animals from injuries, and that's where this topic was originally.

 

[annep]

WE had a fox get our girls once, and she just killed every single one in about five minutes, and left them all..Then she watched the house for a while, thinking to go back..We kept her away though...could see her just watching..We live in the city, but there's a field not too far..That's where she came from...I am so sorry for your loss...But, my bet's a fox.

 

[Mattemma]

Trap the cats with a havahart or simply lure them with treats and catnip.Then take them away. Could try luring the dog as well with food. I caught one in my yard,but before I could leash it it climbed over my 6 foot chain link fence.Shooting is your best bet.

Sorry for your loss and hope the one makes it. I kept injured and ill hens in my house in a cage.They did well,and even laid an egg each day once almost recovered. Hens will peck at injuries. I blu-kote defeathered areas.

 

[Ole rooster]

I can't comprehend losing 79 hens. Man would that make me a very bitter person . Some of you have already gotten on my case cuz I just ain't sensitive enough for you. But if I were the one that lost 79, knowing what work and care goes into it, I personally would enjoy watching the killer suffer. I have a neighbor the antifreezed an animal. Yeah, he got in real trouble. It is a bad way to go. But think I would rather gut shoot the dog. I have no use at all for cats, but even then I don't just shoot um. I even stop Morgan from chasing um. But let them cause a problem and I go on the warpath.

But still the poster that got everybody's dander up was voicing his feelings I think from a point of anger and/or frustration because of what happened to him. I think a lot of you should grow up a tad and see that. So many of you have your feeling on your arm so as it gets hit pretty easily. I feel also that it has a lot to do with the makeup of men and women. As hard as todays world tries to make us the same, it just ain't so. Men are born to be natural protectors. God put that drive in us. They will kill anything endangering their charge in any way imaginable. No holes bared you might say. Much the same way a mother will claw you eyes out for messing with her children. It's all according to whose eyes you look through in a given situation.

Light up a little.

It ain't as bad as it looks. Read between the lines and find intent.

 

[sjmarshall87]

Quote:
Well my first thought would be a neighboring dog if you live in a developed neighborhood. If your fence is metal I would get a electric system to switch on before you leave. if it is not metal you might have to make a larger pen area for them to "free range" in while your gone and only allow them out when your home.

 

[Chick_Lit123]

It may be fisher cat, which is a type of weasel. They are very wily and can get into the smallest spaces. Usually, they bite the chicken on the neck and just suck the blood. Not sure why but I've seen that happen to three of my chickens--once before my very eyes. Weasels are viscous predators and usually attack at dawn or dusk. So the culprit may be a common weasel...That's been my experience.