I think my young rooster is killing my hens?

[Nyhillbillies]

A camera in the coop and run will help you sleep at night, especially if it notifies you immediately of danger, allowing you to respond.

 

[McChooky]

Trapping predators identified on cameras enables you to protect your flock better. Sorry for your losses!

 

[Terryjr]

Well it wasn't the rooster. I found it dead this morning, so something climbed up 6 ft of bird cloth killed the rooster got him to the ground and pulled its head off. The camera unfortunately also died, but before this happened

 

[Shadrach]

I think you've got a weasel or similar killing your chickens. As mentioned above, the removal of the head is typical weasel behaviour. I am told that the weasel feeds the brains to their offspring when they are young.

 

[littlecoopnextdoor]

oh gosh I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope you can put your camera in so you can see what access points to repair.

 

[Terryjr]

I'm in board with the weasel theory. Ive never seen a weasel in person but I guess they can be here. I have a creek about 200 yards down the hill. Camera batteries are charged, and I'm going to set it up but I've always put the new control board in my desk to dawn door and am going to retrain the hens to sleep inside the coop. Hopefully they go in in their own in a few days or I'll have to take out the roosting branches in the run for a bit.

 

[Terryjr]

Would well fed squirrel size rats take down a chicken? They laugh at the largest rats traps, I might order a Uhlik Repeater trap for the tune of $260. Or poison but im worried the chickens or other local wildlife would find it

 

[AGeese]

Would well fed squirrel size rats take down a chicken? They laugh at the largest rats traps, I might order a Uhlik Repeater trap for the tune of $260. Or poison but im worried the chickens or other local wildlife would find it

You need to borrow a Jack Russell Terrier.

 

[Folly's place]

We had rats in our coop years ago, and they did kill and decapitate three nice pullets befor we had things fixed. It took removing an insulated wall, a new dig barrier, and poison in their tunnels and bait stations.
Any opening or tunnel big enough for rats will also be fine for a weasel.
Mary

 

[littlecoopnextdoor]

Would well fed squirrel size rats take down a chicken? They laugh at the largest rats traps, I might order a Uhlik Repeater trap for the tune of $260. Or poison but im worried the chickens or other local wildlife would find it

you need to close up food access immediately. don't have food open and available at night especially. this is a buffet for everyone! lucky rats don't think they're killing your chickens if they are this well fed imo