Massacred

[Blue bantum]

I have lost my 17 laying hens in early spring. Then after really reinforcing the run, something slaughtered the 15 replacements. Is there something that would kill on this scale besides a dog ? The attacks happened during the daylight hours i believe as the bodies were strewn all around the large pen not just in the coop.

 

[Kessel23]

If it was not possibly a dog it could have been a mink or other member of the weasel family.

 

[slejdad]

So Sorry for your loss. We had a nine hen massacre earlier this year as well, except most of the chickens were eaten (only found one body) and due to unfortunate circumstances my birds were outside over night. Were your chickens mutilated at all? My friend just lost quite a few that got decapitated and had their chests ripped open by a coon.

 

[ellenscoop]

Coyotes, foxes, I don't know, it sorta depends on the signs they left You can try using the poultry predator identifier tool - http://www.poultrydvm.com/predator-identifier.php

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

I agree with the circumstances, and how the bodies were left.