I am just sick.

[insiderart]

Hmmm sounds like a rat MO then. As the big guy was stuck in smaller hole with his head gnawed off.... The speckled sussex wasn't exactly small, I would have never expected a rat to be able to do that.

Well then... I guess I can put out rat poison.

Will hardware cloth every orifice of the coop like it is a 1950's bomb shelter. We have probably 4 weeks before anyone else is ready to go outside, gives me plenty of time to do better this time.

 

[MysticScorpio82]

Here is a link to another thread, it talks about how they got rid of their rat problem with plaster paris. https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=183374

I hope it helps!

 

[mypicklebird]

I had exactly that scenario a few times- bird partially pulled into rat hole & chewed on. If you have a dirt floor, they can/will tunnel up into it, and can also come up through large cracks in concrete. The native rats are smaller and not so fierce. The import big rats get large, and are very bold + smart and will learn. Be careful with poisons- as chickens will eat the stuff too- many types look like chicken pellets. Other critters can also eat the rat bodies and get ill. I solved my rat problem by moving all chickens from a wire pen with open perches & dirt floor to a solid wood structure that I can close at night- and they free range during the day. At night they are protected by wood on all sides/top/bottom- no wire. I also let a skunk live under the garage- skunks will eat rat pups, I haven't seen rats in the compost or rat scat in the garage/barn area since we let the skunk move in. Down side of skunk is that the dog has been sprayed twice....
Also for rat control, is keep all chicken food/scratch in metal cans & clean up spilled feed. Easy food = rats/mice.



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[IggiMom]

Sounds like a raccoon to me. We have had untold troubles with coons.

I am so so very sorry. Hugs to you and your daughter also.

We have cats of our own. They never bother the chickens. Nor do strays, it is always a coon with us.

Catherine

 

[Bizzybirdy]

Sounds like a racoon to me also. They pull heads and body parts of full grown hens and roosters even through fences. Skunks usually dig under fences and eat eggs and very young chicks, if at all. Don't think it was a cat.

Whatever it is hope you try to find out for sure and catch or kill it as it will keep coming back and often bring "relatives".

 

[astylishgirl]

I am so sorry for you and your daughter. I keep telling myself to stop getting so attached to these chickens. I just know this will happen and we will be devistated.

 

[BorderKelpie]

Your poor little girl!
Aww, I feel so badly for her. And for you, nothing like the pain a parent feels watching their little ones hurt...

Is there a way of maybe taking her to a feed store and picking out a chick or 2 for her birthday to help distract her from the move/tragedy? Although, I guess it's not really a good time of year for finding day olds at feed stores right now.... How about a 'gift certificate' for 2 chicks of her choice once you're settled in your new home. Something for her to look forward to? That way, maybe she could look through chick catalogs to keep her busy right now. If I lived closer, I'd donate some EE's to her. I know they're not the same, but they are still sweet and cute.
Give her a hug for me.

Poor baby. Oh - tell her Happy Birthday for me, too.
Best wishes!

 

[IggiMom]

We have been getting a coon about ever night for the last several days. My husband uses a human trap. NOT Havaheart. I think it is Tomahawk, which the DNR recommended.

Also, here anyway, the DNR will loan you a trap. You must give a deposit but then you get it back when you return the trap.

And i send hugs also.

Catherine

 

[chickencoop31320]

Sorry for you and your daughter.


I lock up my birds every night, but always worry about the mesh tops I have on my runs when I'm gone to work in the day time.

I hope you get the vermin that did this and your coop fixed

 

[insiderart]

Thanks everyone. She was understandably crushed and cried most of yesterday, hopefully today will be better.

She has 3 speckled sussex chicks coming in about two weeks that we ordered to go with this rooster chick. So she will have her speckled susssex again soon. In the mean time we have several showgirl chicks inside the house for her to play with.

Apparently I need to go wild with the hardware cloth....