Lost half the flock between last night and the night before...

[jqs birds]

I'd guess coon too. He probably climbed over on one of the corners where you used a wood post. Wrap them with roof flashing or some other tin so they can't climb in. You electric fence run 6" off the ground should keep him away too

 

[deerman]

Coons, can take chicken, without them making much noise. They will pick one off a roost ,others will set on the roost as it eat part of the one.


If you ever catch chicken off the roost, you know, catch one and one setting next to it wouldnt move.

 

[Bebe Brett]

We lost 22 chockens one night. We were so distressed, because their legs were eaten and some were still alive. We were told that this was the work of a weasel, this is their method. Mine are closer to home now, and are locked right up at night.

 

[Sugar Sand Farm]

Coon got into our goose house the very first night they went outside ate all the goose except the bill and feet. It dug its way under the house. Now we have a solid floor so they can't dig in.

 

[Triggerjay]

So, my son and I sat outside tonight, traps set, gun in hand,... we heard a rather large animal heading toward the enclosure back in the woods. The sound was kind of like a hopping sound, but larger than a rabbit. We also heard coyotes in the distance, but nothing real close on them. Right before we came in, I lit up the second electric fence wire near the ground. I waited to do so because the traps I set are near the path of the bottom wire, and I was hoping to kill whatever it is,.... not just shock it. Hopefully all will be fine the rest of the night. I will update again in the morning..Even though we didn't get the animal tonight, it was some nice quality time with my son.

Jason

 

[NMbirds]

Can't wait to hear what it is. My guess is coon or dog also but since at night probably coon or coyote. Good luck!!

 

[chickenbottom]

Quote:
well good luck and im sorry for your loss

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

Electric fencing will stop the predators in their tracks. I had 2 nights of killing a couple of months ago

...put electric fence around the bottom and top of the pens and voila...no more deaths.

We turn it on at before dark each evening and off in the morning when we let the girls out. I was hoping it would kill whatever was getting them, but it didn't. But there are NO MORE signs of a predator near the pens anymore. I thought our pens were predator proof but they have a way of pulling and pushing their way through wire.

We're going to rebuild all the pens in the fall and I'm going to use hardware cloth instead of chicken wire...but I'm still going to put up the electric fence!!

 

[Love my Critters!]

Did you catch anything?

I don't know how far your coop is from the house, but we use a baby monitor when we are having trouble with a predetar. I'm a light sleeper and when I hear anything, my husband runs out with his shot gun and puts a slug in what ever is out there. That way he can sleep until needed since he gets up early for work. Just another suggestion.

 

[Triggerjay]

well, morning is here, and none of the traps are sprung. No lost livestock last night. I just wish I had the chance to kill whatever it was. I think the electric fence did its job last night. I have ours set on a timer, so it comes on about 6:00pm, and stays on until 8am. I also installed a bright red indicator lamp on the outside of my shop that tells you if the fence is on or not. You can see it from the house its so bright. Here in a few, I am going to go out and snap some pics..Its a relief to wake up to no more dead birds. I decided not to kill the cat I caught yesterday,.. So today it goes for a ride to somewhere far far away..Oh, and the baby monitor is a great idea as well!

Jason