lost 3 chickens in 3 nights

[carriet714]

I am at a loss here. Some vicious animal (I believe it's a raccoon) is mutilating my chickens. I have lost 3 one a night for the last 3 nights. I live in western P.A in the country and there are plenty of raccoons fox and coyotes. I found a carcass of one of my chickens not far from my coop right inside the wood line and i was hardly identifyable. I have set a trap with raw fish and so far nothing. I put my last 5 remaining chickens in my garage tonight because I am afraid to lose any more. Their behavior has changed since this started happening. They laid their eggs in my flower planter and they dont seem to want to go near the coop. any suggestions??/

 

[Naunnie]

Sorry for your loss. Could be any of the 3 predators you mentioned. Bad news is...now that whatever it is.... knows it can get to your chickens, and it will be back! I would not put them back in the coop until you can make it more predator proof. Free-ranging could be disastrous as well.... until the varmit is removed.

 

[nekotee]

have you tried cat food as bait really smelly stuff to canned