Help Losing Silkies

[Off island chickens]

Help please. We recently added 4 young silkies to our flock of 10 hens and 1 non aggressive rooster. Our birds are enclosed in appropriate fencing buried in the ground and doubled 18 inches up, about 8 feet tall and enclosed on the top. One by one something attacked our silkies and we found them beheaded and entrails exposed or missing. We can find no way predators can get in. Does anyone have any idea how this might be happening? Any similar experience or any advice. Thank you.

 

[Fanci Feathers Marans]

Detective time.

Climbers:
Coon attacks head

Possum attacks butt

Flyers:
Owl attacks at night

Hawk attacks during the day

 

[Pork Pie]

Hello and welcome to BYC

I'd suggest asking on this forum - https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/predators-and-pests.13/

Including your location under your avatar will help people to give the best advice

 

[Kiki]

Hi there! Double check the whole enclosure for any holes larger then an inch and cover them.
Welcome to BYC.
This video should help you find your way around the site.
Make yourself at home!

 

[drumstick diva]

What type of fencing? Chicken wire only keeps chickens IN, it does nothing to keep predators OUT. The gold standard for fencing is 1/2 inch hardware cloth securely affixed to frame - using plastic ties will not be strong enough. Weasels, minks, etc. can get through very small opening but, generally they drink the blood .

 

[drumstick diva]

If you could get a game cam or borrow one- you may catch the perp on film and also see how it gets in. Does the attack happen at night or daylight? If at night a motion detector might send it away.

 

[Off island chickens]

If you could get a game cam or borrow one- you may catch the perp on film and also see how it gets in. Does the attack happen at night or daylight? If at night a motion detector might send it away.

Thanks. We have a camera out now. The attacks are always at night.

 

[Off island chickens]

If you could get a game cam or borrow one- you may catch the perp on film and also see how it gets in. Does the attack happen at night or daylight? If at night a motion detector might send it away.

Thanks. We have a camera out now.

Hello and welcome to BYC

I'd suggest asking on this forum - https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/predators-and-pests.13/
Thank you. That is helpful and I took your advice. Jus learning how to navigate this site.

Including your location under your avatar will help people to give the best advice

 

[Off island chickens]

Thanks everyone. We have checked the wire and are continuing to look for holes. We have put out a camera and a trap. Will let you know. Didn't mention it before but it seems odd that whatever it id does not bother the larger birds, just the silkies. But the silkies never like to roost. Perhaps that is it. Anyway, I appreciate all the help.

 

[Kiki]

Did you catch anything in your trap?