Hen found dead.

[Bonsai]

This morning I woke up to go check on my hens. Then, the unexpected happened. I found my hen under the chicken stairs, dead.

She was prefectly healthy last time I saw her. Half of her skull and both of her eyes were missing, and her legs and feet down the the bone. What could have killed her? My other hen and rooster are fine. I relize the other chickens might have pecked her after she died; but when I went into the coop to grab her, my rooster attacked me. Again, what might have killed her? I am determined to get revenge on whatever killed her, so my other ones don't meet her fate.

Thanks for your help.

 

[RHRanch]

The rooster was just trying to protect her - he's probably worked up from whatever got into your pen to kill the hen. My birds never pick each other, so I can't be sure, but it sounds to me like a predator got into your pen.

 

[SunnyDawn]

Without seeing pics and tracks it's hard to tell. Around here it's usually racoons. They are very smart and can even figure out simple latches. I hope you catch whatever it was!

 

[Bonsai]

Without seeing pics and tracks it's hard to tell. Around here it's usually racoons. They are very smart and can even figure out simple latches. I hope you catch whatever it was!

I know we have raccoons around the area, but no latches were undone. I also know we have rats. I've seen them running the fence. There's a small enterance where the rodents could have got in; and that's where I found her dead. So, is it safe to assume that rats got to her?

The rooster was just trying to protect her - he's probably worked up from whatever got into your pen to kill the hen. My birds never pick each other, so I can't be sure, but it sounds to me like a predator got into your pen.

That's what I thought too. I wasn't mad at him.​

 

[sourland]

It's very unlikely that rats killed a grown hen. Move the survivors to a safe place and set a box trap with a 'light' trigger. Your killer will be back.

 

[Bonsai]

Quote:
Ok, I will set a trap. Thanks. Though, the rats here are huge. I think they might be sewer rats. Does that make a difference?

 

[Nicole01]

It could of been a mink or weasel. So sorry for your loss.

 

[sourland]

Quote:
That's sort of my gut feeling-- that's why I suggested triggering the trap 'lightly'.

 

[Bonsai]

I don't think it could have been a weasel/mink. Those things don't live here in Sacramento. Or I've never seen them before.

 

[sourland]

Quote:
Have you seen coyote, bobcat, foc, raccoon, opossum? Because they are there too.