My first predator attack. Could I get some tips and advice please?

[RikkiMarie]

Well that sounds like a common cat attacked your chicks anything else would eaten all the chicks and or chickens and ducks.... make sure that the roof of your pen is secure otherwise owls, snakes, bobcats, raccoons, and regular cats will eat your chicks, among other things.... Also make sure that you count all your chicks before bed time and again in the morning..... Now if there is not a way to completely close your chicks' hut you need to make a way, because at night your chicks shouldn't be able to wander out or be kicked out by the other chicks in the night. But letting the chicks free range in the day is awesome! It's really great for them! Also if your chicks hut is off the ground with a ramp for them to get up to it would be better.... that eliminates the problem of snakes eating your chicks....
I'm sorry for your 2 little chicks though....

Thank you so much! (By the way I must say that the chicken you have as your avatar picture is GORGEOUS!)

I do have the chick's coop off the ground and there is a ramp access. I do have a door but I usually leave it open in case they get hungry. Otherwise they are free to roam in the area I have fenced for them. Maybe I should start locking them in at night.

Two went missing (I haven't found them yet) and I had found one dead, so that makes three.
I looked everywhere for those missing chicks but to no avail.

 

[RikkiMarie]

If you are planning on moving soon then you won't want to go to great expense but there are things that you can do now to help keep them safer.

First if the bites were puncture mostly, more than two and on multiple parts of the body I am guessing (since your are more suburban it was most likely a cat. Do people have cats that roam free in your neighborhood? At any rate the animal knows where your birds are and might return. So do a few things (some of which you may already do):

1. Do not leave them loose and unattended. While this may seem simple it only takes an instant for a predator to climb your fence, run across the yard, grab a bird and take of back across the fence.
2. Watch very carefully for any sign of digging around your privacy fence and/or the fence around their pen. If you notice any then get some 1/4 inch fencing fabric at any hardware store and attach it to the bottom of the fence, then fold it out and bury it about 6-10 inches down all around the fence. This will not prevent the digging but the predator will dig, hit the fence fabric and hopefully give up and go away to easier game.
3. Lock them in at night and when you are not there. Use a sophisticated lock not just a latch of some sort. If by chance you have a raccoon or the like in the area they are very clever and able to actually manipulate some latches. Make it something that would require human like skills to undo.
4. Consider putting 1/4 fencing fabric over the windows so that you can have them open and keep predators out.

You will notice that I keep saying 1/4 fencing fabric and not chicken wire. Chicken wire is designed to keep chickens in not to keep predators out. It is very easily torn through by a determined predator.

Look around here on BYC and you will find any number of other suggestions to help keep your flock safe. Just do a search on predator or protection and plan on spending some time reading.

I wish you the best of luck. I live in the country, a mile from my nearest neighbor and have both flying predators and critters like raccoons, skunks, cayotes and bobcats to deal with. So far, and I am one of the lucky ones, I have not lost a bird to an unwelcome guest. However, being rural I am allowed the use of firearms to help me deal with them. You probably are not allowed to discharge a firearm in the city. But, when you move to a more rural area you may want to at least consider getting something for home defense. That would include defending yourself, your family and your animals including your birds.

Let us know how things progress. We are all here to help you deal with this challenge.

Thank you so much for your advice! I feel so comforted by everyone on this website. You are all so kind!

I'll be sure to print out this post and head over to the tractor supply/hardware stores tomorrow after work! I'm thinking a padlock (lock and key) would be good for the hut.

 

[mrs buff laced]

Thank you so much for your advice! I feel so comforted by everyone on this website. You are all so kind!

I'll be sure to print out this post and head over to the tractor supply/hardware stores tomorrow after work! I'm thinking a padlock (lock and key) would be good for the hut.

Even just a lock about the strength of dog kennel should do.... And I hope you find your other chicks.... despite the slim chances...

 

[RikkiMarie]

Even just a lock about the strength of dog kennel should do.... And I hope you find your other chicks.... despite the slim chances...

I'll be sure to pick one up. I looked all over for my other chicks up and down the neighborhood and even asked neighbors if they have seen anything carrying two baby chicks away. Which actually kind of surprises me because I'm wondering what kind of animal can take two baby chicks, unless there was more than one.