I could use some help in identifying what killed 2 of my birds

[Lisasjf]

I'm thinking raccoon or opossum,. I had three birds in an enclosure. I've never had a problem before with anything going after my chickens but this morning when i went out to feed them one bird was completely gone, one was dead with its leg chewed open and there was one egg eaten, with many others left behind. Feathers were everywhere and i notice a very small one inch ripped hole in the canvas fabric covering i had over the run, the same size as the wire mesh behind it. I'm leaning towards an opossum but with these were large adult birds and i can't imagine a raccoon taking off with an entire adult bird. There were no dug up holes from underneath so i'm figuring whatever it was had to be a climber and a strong one at that.

 

[Chick Charm]

I would lean toward a fox or a raccoon. However, at this point it is wise to batten down the hatches (get the coop prepared for another attack) and fix whatever weakness in your coop or run. I hope you don't have any more losses.

Wish ya the best.

 

[Lisasjf]

I did already start to batten down the hatches. Tonight I'll make sure all of them are inside the coop.which is generally VERY solid. But there's only two things i'm worried about, My run is pretty big but i never put wire mesh in the ground underneath it. Around it the wire goes about a foot or more below the ground. This being why it's so important for me to figure out what it was. If it can dig down far enough overnight, and gets into the run, It might be possible for it to lift up the drop down door i have. If that's a worry it might be easier for me to just attach a separate outside door I can lock. any help and suggestions would be appreciated I live in Jersey where I know I have all kinds of predators and being near water doesn't help either. I almost hope it was a fox but i can't see a fox eating an egg.

 

[Lisasjf]

I just looked at your pictures and the red coop you have is much like mine except mine is off the ground on wheels, With the run attached on one side. I have two doors. one for me and one for the chickens. I know they cant open my door even if it releases the latches the door lifts up and it's way to heavy (almost even for me). I also do have a slot built into the double layer floor under their roosting bars for easy cleaning. i don't know if i should worry about that either. the slot is about 4 inches high and about 30-36 inches wide. it would have to be mighty strong to pull the trays out and then lift up the wire mesh sitting on top of it

 

[Chick Charm]

I think if you set some traps (like a raccoon live trap) baited, you will be able to catch something if it is the right size.
Also if you have some ammonia, spray it around your fence line or coop. It can and does repel a bunch of critters. Ammonia mimics the smell of urine to most animals. It is effective. Obviously so is urine itself. But you may look a bit funny peeing around your yard.

For whatever reason, I still am leaning toward fox or a raccoon. Opossums love to eat eggs also.