missing chicks

alanabug

In the Brooder
Jul 15, 2015
29
2
31
Bishopville, S.C.
Something is eating my baby chicks that my moma hen hatched. one to two aday. It is completely enclosed with wire in the bottom sides. I did find one hole under wire and can't find the end. about a silver dollar size. I'm thinking snake. But my husband says it wouldn't take one every day or two a day. Happens mid day, Can a snake do this, why ain't the other three adults killing it, and what to do about it? I did find one tore off wing yesterday. and feathers in a laying box one day.
At first I thought that the cat was getting them because the babies kept breaking out and fixed where the door had a crack and whatever it is in getting them inside the closed pen.
 
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All I saw was a field mouse when we moved there metal laying box, would that be the culprit or the tunnel we saw?.Should I put poison behind there laying box where the mouse lives? What should I do?
 
I'm thinking you have a rat problem.
That was my first thought, too.

Rats would eat a chick? I saw a field mouse.
Yes - rats will eat chicks, eggs, feed, and whatever else they can get ahold of.

All I saw was a field mouse when we moved there metal laying box, would that be the culprit or the tunnel we saw?.Should I put poison behind there laying box where the mouse lives? What should I do?
No - the mouse would not be the culprit. Rats are the most likely suspects in my opinion. I say "rats" because where there is one, there are many. I have used poison to get rid of them. If you go that route (and I can't think of any other effective thing to do), make sure you put the poison where the chickens or any other unintended targets can't get it.
 

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