Major attack - is this a bear?

[Lsox]

After losing a chicken a day to a fox/foxes when free ranging, we thought we had the problem sorted by only letting them out for 30 minutes before sunset. Between being locked up last night and checking this morning, something visited the coop and tore a big hole in the 1/4" hardware cloth, getting 11 of our 16 birds (4 ISA browns, two bantams, two guineas and our three barred rock hens). We're left with two guineas, a bantam, a barred rock cockerel and one ISA brown hen.

Any idea what could have got through the cloth? Claw marks on the sides in various spots as well and a few black hairs left as evidence. Thinking maybe a raccoon (though didn't think they could get through the cloth) or a bear?

 

[Lsox]

I ordered the predator eyes as well.

Also confirmed it's a bear (or multiple). I followed the trail of feathers into the woods, found various parts of birds and eventually half a guinea. Then I stood in bear scat (cleverly wearing my slippers...). About five feet further in, I saw one or more bears - looked like a cub or two and a mother. Mystery solved! Decided the best move was to back out, as I didn't really want to stare them down. Now, what to do about them...

 

[MarkJr]

I’m going to say bear.

Keep the dead and be ready. It’ll be back.

 

[MarkJr]

The claw marks on the wood indicate bear. Something next to it for size comparison would confirm it.

 

[Folly's place]

Electric fencing, very hot, and baited at first, set it up ASAP.
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

No, it's not. Big furry bear, hot wire, won't notice it while walking through it, but touching it with nose or mouth? Wow! Big impression!
Mary

 

[NatJ]

A Fisher Cat.
Bat crap crazy animals.
https://www.heraldnews.com/article/20160130/SPORTS/160139705

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisher_(animal)
Member of the weasel family, males up to 8-13 pounds, according to wikipedia.

I would say maybe, except for this:

confirmed it's a bear (or multiple). I followed the trail of feathers into the woods, found various parts of birds and eventually half a guinea. Then I stood in bear scat (cleverly wearing my slippers...). About five feet further in, I saw one or more bears - looked like a cub or two and a mother. Mystery solved!

Following the feather trail and finding a family of bears at the end sounds rather conclusive to me

 

[The Happster]

That's not a bear. Probably a small dolphin, or maybe a kangaroo. Stick up game cameras-


Just in case @NatJ thought his work was done.

 

[orloffer]

Its weird it didn't eat them all. It wouldnt make me think bear, I don't see why a bear would want anything to do with chickens. I am thinking maybe cougar, wolf, or coyote, but I don't think a coyote would tear that hole. Fro me I am thinking cougar, if you have them where you live. Whatever it is, will likely come back again. I don think there si a big enough liv strap to catch a bear, but there is one for a cougar, you could set. I don't know what you would do with it ounce you caught it though. You could get both of these things, the lights work of rme, I had never used the pee, but I believe it would work well.

Bears have been known to attack chicken coops.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

I agree with the bear. May I ask how close the coop is to your house? I would almost be tempted to call the local wildlife services just to give them a heads up especially if your coop is close to your house. It's one thing if your chickens are free ranging and were killed out and about, but the fact that the bear is coming that close to rip apart coop walls is slightly concerning.