In the past 2 weeks I have had 3 attacks during the day. I live on an acre but I am very much in the city (15 miles from Downtown). 1/4 of the acre is very wooded but it is all fenced (6 foot chain link with 2 feet of barb wire). My chickens hang out on half the acre.
The attacks are to the top or bottom of the tail. One was a 2 1/2" cut below the vent. Some innards came out and eventually she died.
Today, FOUR were attacked. 2 of my small Campines that are just 7 month old and 2 Cinnamon Queens. One Cinnamon Queen just past and she had NO external injuries. Another has puncture marks (like a cat claw) under her wing near the rear. One of the Campines is torn open about 3" above the tail exposing the bone. I doubt she will make it and that's why I am on here.
I fear a feral cat that sometimes hangs out on my property. He comes and fights with my female cats that are spayed.
I have set traps tonight and I am thinking about sitting back where my chickens hang out normally to see what comes through there. When we went to give treats at 4:30 this afternoon, all the chickens were hiding. Then we found a pile of feathers. Upon further inspections, there were feathers in about 12 different spots. All the attacked hens were hiding under things.
The attacks on the Campine was very severe and went on throughout the property. A found feathers clumps that were hers in about 5 different places. Clearly she was attacked for a long time and she ran everywhere. The other campine (a different color) was also attacked in several areas but she managed to squeeze into a small hole and hide.
The total attack area was 1/4 of the acrea and went behind buildings, out in the open and through some dense bamboo. For this reason, I rule out a hawk attack.
If anyone has any pointers or words of wisdom, I would appreciate it. I currently have 3 hens in a dog kennel in my kitchen. I fear 2 will pass in the night as their injuries are fairly substantial. I would like to know what anyone recommends for the large wound exposing tail bone. Should I just put her down or can she be saved. I have raised chickens for over 10 years and never seen anything like this.
The attacks are to the top or bottom of the tail. One was a 2 1/2" cut below the vent. Some innards came out and eventually she died.
Today, FOUR were attacked. 2 of my small Campines that are just 7 month old and 2 Cinnamon Queens. One Cinnamon Queen just past and she had NO external injuries. Another has puncture marks (like a cat claw) under her wing near the rear. One of the Campines is torn open about 3" above the tail exposing the bone. I doubt she will make it and that's why I am on here.
I fear a feral cat that sometimes hangs out on my property. He comes and fights with my female cats that are spayed.
I have set traps tonight and I am thinking about sitting back where my chickens hang out normally to see what comes through there. When we went to give treats at 4:30 this afternoon, all the chickens were hiding. Then we found a pile of feathers. Upon further inspections, there were feathers in about 12 different spots. All the attacked hens were hiding under things.
The attacks on the Campine was very severe and went on throughout the property. A found feathers clumps that were hers in about 5 different places. Clearly she was attacked for a long time and she ran everywhere. The other campine (a different color) was also attacked in several areas but she managed to squeeze into a small hole and hide.
The total attack area was 1/4 of the acrea and went behind buildings, out in the open and through some dense bamboo. For this reason, I rule out a hawk attack.
If anyone has any pointers or words of wisdom, I would appreciate it. I currently have 3 hens in a dog kennel in my kitchen. I fear 2 will pass in the night as their injuries are fairly substantial. I would like to know what anyone recommends for the large wound exposing tail bone. Should I just put her down or can she be saved. I have raised chickens for over 10 years and never seen anything like this.
