Losing my chickens

[Austria414]

Something has killed 4 of my chickens over a two week period. It only eats the head and leaves the rest of body intact. I’m leaning towards a possum or raccoon. I’ve set up game camera in coop to try to see what it may be. In the mean time I am removing the chickens from this pen and putting them in other smaller pens to try to protect them. Any ideas?

Sounds like you have coyotes. Normally they eat the head and leave the body.

 

[ThatUserNameAlreadyTaken]

Something has killed 4 of my chickens over a two week period. It only eats the head and leaves the rest of body intact. I’m leaning towards a possum or raccoon. I’ve set up game camera in coop to try to see what it may be. In the mean time I am removing the chickens from this pen and putting them in other smaller pens to try to protect them. Any ideas?

I would rule out raccoons. They will tear into the body, consuming the chicken, while it is still alive. I've experienced raccoons. I have a predator proof coop. Yet, raccoons are good with their hands and can turn locks. I now put a padlock on the locking mechanism. However, prior to that, one night a raccoon was able to open it. They left dead birds, not that far from the coop. And, they did a pretty good job of eating a full side. I've never heard of raccoons that only eat the head.

 

[Gramee10]

Something has killed 4 of my chickens over a two week period. It only eats the head and leaves the rest of body intact. I’m leaning towards a possum or raccoon. I’ve set up game camera in coop to try to see what it may be. In the mean time I am removing the chickens from this pen and putting them in other smaller pens to try to protect them. Any ideas?

I had 3 skunks in my coop one night the next morning found all but a few had been masequered…it was horrific. Didn’t take any of the chx….

 

[McChooky]

Possums can den in a hole in the ground ,under rocks and in hollow logs and trees .They change dens frequently so don't look for one to stay in one place long. They will kill your chickens at night if you don't keep them in secure coops with aprons along the bottom. I'm sure they'd kill my chickens if they could and know they've tried. My advice is add an electric fence around your coop if its not predator proof.

 

[Carolminifarm]

Thinking its a hawk or coon. The neck is easy to eat, so a few predators may go for it. Definitely set up a cam, it will be back.

It's a owl.

 

[Carolminifarm]

As another member has already suggested it would help to upload photos.

Put pic of twins on but think it is the avatar.

 

[Carolminifarm]

Is this happening at night or during the day?
Pics of your 'pen' would help here.

Day or night important. Owls are big at head removal. If not, put cayenne pepper all over perimeter and egg nest and motion light. They all hate pepper but doesn't bother the chickens. With a light, if they can see, they can get out or away. (I have an open coop set up). If the dog hears any noise outside and lights on we investigate. Ridgeback fixes the problem.lol

 

[BestLittleHenhouseInGV]

This happened to me as well! It was during the day when there was snow on the ground in the Sierras of CA. We figured it was a hawk? Only for one of our ladies. The spotted Jubilee who stood out the most. :’(

 

[Carolminifarm]

Hate the Hawks. Taught dogs to scare them off.

 

[McChooky]

The hog wire was already there. We just didn’t think to put anything smaller over it. Even so a raccoon or possum can climb. I didn’t use to close the coop at night but I do now.

Until you attach hardware cloth over the hog wire and chicken wire none of your chickens are safe. Better safe than Sorry!