Lost my girls tonight

[lauralea]

I'm so upset right now I can't breathe. Sick to my stomach. Something got into my fenced in girls today. I had 21...5 are accounted for...6 dead..they killed them and left them...not a fox..he would have killed one taken it, eaten it, and come back for more...raccoon? In hoping the other 10 are hiding or treed somewhere and will make it back home!!!! My poor babies! I can't stop crying...
Any ideas other than coons? I live in Maine...
Hubby and I are taking trapping course in a few weeks...can't wait!!!!!!!

 

[babethesnake]

weasels maybe? they kill like crazy and only eat the tender bits. i've had them before.

 

[Huntress78]

Sorry for your loss...I hope you'll find more of the birds unharmed!
The trapping course is a great idea. It will teach you the best, most humane way to deal with many predators.
I'm guessing these birds were in an open top pen? We'd need more information to help narrow down the possible culprit as I think you have many of the same predators as we do here in WI....weasel, mink, coon, marten, fisher, bobcat, red and grey fox or coyote could all get in an open pen. They could all kill multiple birds and leave them with the thought of coming back later to get them.

 

[lauralea]

Yes they were in an open topped fenced in area with their coop...we are in the process off revamping our whole run...
The ones we found had a puncture wound on their neck and neck broke ...unfortunately none of the other girls have come home. Ice searched the woods..but there's a lot of woods. I checked the trees also...
My heart is breaking...poor girls
I'm thinking maybe a weasel, or fisher...idk
Thanks for the feed back...& yes a huntress 78 we have all those lovely predators...I've ruled out coon..they take the heads off...fox is another good assumption. Hubby just ordered two night motion cameras so hopefully with the new run & cameras we can be safer and know what we are looking for...

 

[Muffinburgler]

Could it have been a neighbor's dog? They love to mess with chickens for the thrill of the chase and the kill, rarely eating anything.

 

[Habibs Hens]

I lay my odd on a RAT

 

[lauralea]

Maybe a dog, although I'm out in the willy wack haha..
A rat...could kill 6? And make off with 10 more? Idk
We are looking forward to the arrival of our cameras I'm not a vengeful person....but I feel with this situation...I AM

 

[JanetS]

Sorry for you loss. Sounds like a dog to me. Good luck keeping your remaining chickens safe.