Hello, Something ate a 6 inch diameter hole through the corner of our chicken coop a couple of days ago and one chicken was missing. No feathers or anything left. After reinforcing the corners of our coop by nailing plywood on, last night something tore through the plexiglass window, then through the flyscreen, then through the chicken wire of the window, crawled through a 5" hole at the top of the window, killed and ate most of a chicken leaving the carcass this time and escaped. We set a live trap but the animal ate the meat and didn't set off the trap. It's done this twice. Any advice or suggestions. I live in rural Virginia. Thanks!
First, welcome to BYC, sorry it has to be with a discussion of predators... There are extensive forums on predators you will want to check out. Maybe a raccoon? Try smearing peanut butter on the trap trigger. If it's a raccoon it will go after peanut butter. Good luck!
Thank you. Sorry- didn't mean to post this under new member intros. I have a beautiful flock of 16 week old pullets: An English Sussex, a black Australorp (one got killed last night- did have 2), a Gold Laced Wyangotte (that was killed a couple of nights ago), a Buff Orpington, a Rhode Island Red, a White Leghorn and a brown and white little hen (not sure which breed). This was a rainbow laying mix I bought. I live on 4 acres in Earlysville, Virginia and also have 2 ducks. I am heartbroken that I've lost 2 of these beautiful birds. I run a preschool from home and the chickens and ducks are so enjoyed by the children.
Hi Glad you could join the flock! Sorry it's not under better circumstances and that you have suffered a loss Its always do sad when a flock member is lost especially to a predator. Please do pop by our predator section ~ https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/13/predators-and-pests I'm sure you will get los of help there. Wishing you the very best of luck for the future and enjoy BYC
How sad Please do post on the predator threads, only they can tell by the type of carnage, what predator did the deed. Is there somewhere safer you could keep the rest of your birds (like a basement of garage) till you figure out how to best secure their coop/run etc. The predator(s) will definitely keep coming back till none are left. Also if you post photos of your coop etc, we may be able to suggest ways to better protect it.
Sorry for your loss, that's always tough to deal with. Posting a picture of your set up is a good idea.
