My Fave Girl, 4.5 years old... Predator Keeps Killing

[Lesleyhg]

First it was a 2 week chick, then my rooster, then the only full grown chicken born here from the rooster, then my major producer comet, and now my four and a half year old Easter egger, Red. This time, it tore the roof off of the wood coop that was soft, after it was repaired. Before that came in through the roof in softer spots. This has to be a bobcat or raccoon I guess. It was also opening the feed bin. We repaired the roof fully this time. Set a trap.

Here is a pic of my old girl, Red, that died. The rest have been completely taken, just feathers everywhere. She was the only one they killed but didn't take. Looks like they bit through her stomach some but maybe could lift her out of the coop, so she was hard and dead from her injuries in the nesting box. I'm so mad she died that way, suffering. She was such a sweetheart.

I hope we catch this bastard, or one of them, tonight. Will relocate or call FWC if not a raccoon.

 

[Brooks_]

I wouldn't relocate.

 

[Little Chickadee]

First it was a 2 week chick, then my rooster, then the only full grown chicken born here from the rooster, then my major producer comet, and now my four and a half year old Easter egger, Red. This time, it tore the roof off of the wood coop that was soft, after it was repaired. Before that came in through the roof in softer spots. This has to be a bobcat or raccoon I guess. It was also opening the feed bin. We repaired the roof fully this time. Set a trap.

Here is a pic of my old girl, Red, that died. The rest have been completely taken, just feathers everywhere. She was the only one they killed but didn't take. Looks like they bit through her stomach some but maybe could lift her out of the coop, so she was hard and dead from her injuries in the nesting box. I'm so mad she died that way, suffering. She was such a sweetheart.

I hope we catch this bastard, or one of them, tonight. Will relocate or call FWC if not a raccoon.

I am so DEEPLY SORRY at your loss. ((((Hugs)))) we used a chain link kennel to make our run, then layered it with hardware cloth. Also put hardware cloth underground. We spent a fair amount but have piece of mind. We check it daily. I hope you find a good solution. ((((Hugs))))

 

[Iowajones]

Nothing left almost sounds like coyote. Fully hardware wire the inside of the coop and if you're using a tractor coop bought online, farmstore... invest in a real building, put up a dog kennel w a full top around the coop, low voltage electric netting. I use t h at since we have everything wanting a chicken snack.

 

[cmom]

Nothing left almost sounds like coyote. Fully hardware wire the inside of the coop and if you're using a tractor coop bought online, farmstore... invest in a real building, put up a dog kennel w a full top around the coop, low voltage electric netting. I use t h at since we have everything wanting a chicken snack.

 

[cmom]

Most likely a coon. If you have a camera put it up and then you will know what has been lurking. I have several cameras up on my property and I see predators on at least one camera every night when they roam here. If you catch don't release. Either eliminate the predator or call a wildlife rescue who will come and get it. We are rural on a dead end road and have been the recipients of others releases. I have eliminated any predator that has done any harm/killed any of my birds. It not fun but they will keep coming back. Others will replace them but won't necessarily bother my birds. I do have electric wires around my coops and pens. My fences are grounded so if any predator tries to climb and hits the hot wires while trying to climb the fence, they will get zapped. I have a quite powerful fence charger and it will hurt. Good luck...

 

[cmom]

If your fence charger is not powerful enough, a predator will breach because the shock is little more than like a bee sting. Lessons learned the hard way. Now I have powerful chargers and if anything that touches the wires will hurt for a couple of days. My wires are 10,000+ volts. I test them daily. 7000 volts will deter most any predators which would be a charger that puts out at least 1 joule. Again, good luck...