Help me identify a predator

[linsybird]

I just lost all but one of my flock today. I came home and they were dead, except the Rooster, who was confined in his own pen due to a leg injury. Whatever it was attacked during the day and killed them all without eating them. We live kind of rural, but we have a fenced back yard for the chickens.

We do have a dog, that could have jumped the gate and got them. I’d really like to believe it wasn’t her, she doesn’t have blood anywhere on her. We’ve had them since May, and they’ve been outside since July and she’s never bothered them before.

Are there any other predators that would attack like that during the day? I know there probably aren’t, and I’m probably in denial, but I figured I’d ask for ideas. Thank you

 

[pennyJo1960]

Weasel is quite possibly your culprit how secure is their yard photos are best hardware cloth is only way to protect them

 

[linsybird]

Weasel is quite possibly your culprit how secure is their yard photos are best hardware cloth is only way to protect them

In the yard they basically free range, they are just kept in with a fence. We have the small yard behind the house, and then a larger fenced yard around our house, and separating the woods from out yard. The dogs roam the outer yard, and I’ve been relying on them to keep away land predators during the day.

I’ll have to research weasels. I’m not sure exactly how big they they are, but I’m assuming they can climb?

I’ll try and get a picture in a little bit, especially of the roosters pen, because his pen wasn’t sturdy at all, something could have easily grabbed him too. I’m just waiting on someone to pick up my son. We lost his two favorite chickens, and I don’t want him to be around when I’m dealing with the bodies.

 

[chkncrazy]

I'm sorry for your loss... Many years ago when I was first starting out I lost a couple flocks myself, so I understand the frustration.... I had my hens secured in a 6 ft high run, and figured out a determined, raccoon, fox or weasel can scale that or climb ...I've caught them in the act... With trial and error you'll find the best method for you... The clues my not come right away as to what it might have been, you'll notice little things with in the days, look around. Not sure about your dog, that's alot of work for a happily fed domestic dog, but you can't rule it out yet.... Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[linsybird]

I'm sorry for your loss... Many years ago when I was first starting out I lost a couple flocks myself, so I understand the frustration.... I had my hens secured in a 6 ft high run, and figured out a determined, raccoon, fox or weasel can scale that or climb ...I've caught them in the act... With trial and error you'll find the best method for you... The clues my not come right away as to what it might have been, you'll notice little things with in the days, look around. Not sure about your dog, that's alot of work for a happily fed domestic dog, but you can't rule it out yet.... Good luck and keep us posted.

Thank you. It’s quite a feeling to come home to that! I main my suspect the dog because she has killed a chicken before. It was a random chicken that showed up one day, but she went after it.

If it was something else, I can’t imagine that it would’ve ignored the rooster. He was in the same yard with them in a pen with chicken wire draped over it to keep him in. I can’t get over that he’s the only one left! (Not that I’m complaining)

 

[linsybird]

Well, I went went back to get the rooster away from the bodies of the others, and found lots of muddy dog prints. That’s about all the proof I need

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Wha breed of dog do you have? I'd like a pic too, if possible.

 

[chkncrazy]

Well, I went went back to get the rooster away from the bodies of the others, and found lots of muddy dog prints. That’s about all the proof I need

I told youd find clues later on.....it's odd that you would find no blood but he probably licked it off of himself if he did do it.... Unless he was chasing after whatever was in the yard....it's a horrible sight to come home too or to wake up to in my case I found bits of bird carcasses strewn about the yard as I was walking up to the coop... It just sucks having to start over. And if it is a dog you now know either to build a more secure run just for the chickens and not let them free range or keep the dog somewhere separate, if he's done It before he'll do It again possibly.

 

[Sequel]

I'm so sorry!

 

[cmom]

I think it could have been a fox. They will if they have the opportunity and are very sneaky. If you have a game camera, put it up then you should be able to find out who the predator is. Most of the killers come back.