Mystery predator!

[allyson23]

We spent the last month readying a new coop for our new flock, completely fenced in with 2x heavy duty chicken wire. Yesterday we put 8- 10wk old hens out there about 2pm, checked on them at 4, then at 7:30 they were dead. 6 bodies, 2 missing but we found feathers so we're pretty sure they didn't run off. Also, our one old hen was taken from the other side of the yard sometime between 6 and 7:30. Found feathers and blood. The predator put a hole the size of a small child in the fence but i didn't find any fur. Two weeks ago something took our rooster and our Rouen duck at about the same time of night. found feathers, no bodies.

The size of the hole makes me think coyote, but leaving bodies behind isn't characteristic of them.

We live in eastern WA, 10 heavily wooded acres mostly coniferous, 1/3 of our land goes up a hill with some rocky outcroppings. This is our third year raising chickens and we've never had a problem. Any ideas?

 

[Michael OShay]

If the bodies were just mauled it sounds like the work of a domestic dog (maybe a neighbors dog?). If the dead birds have broken necks and clumps of feathers missing from the necks, it might be a fox.

 

[Laughing Raven]

Hi Allyson...

Just a guess but, considering the area you live in it could be several different things. The general area does have populations of coyotes, wolves, bear and any number of other large predators. I would ask your county extension officer and / or game warden what is actually in your area. Whatever it was it was very large to tear that size hole in your coop.

Another thing you may want to consider is the fact that you are using chicken wire. The only thing your average chicken wire is good for is to keep your chickens in the coop where they belong unless you are out watching them free range. Unfortunately, it won't keep most predators out once they decide they'd like chicken for dinner. Your best bet would be to go for a little more expensive and much stronger hardware mesh. This should also be attached to a sturdy frame.

I read on here some place that carbiners (?), the things mountain climbers use to hook their ropes to, work excellent for keeping everything but humans out of your coop, so those would be good to keep raccoon's out of the works.

If you have access to a game trail camera that would be a great way to find out exactly what it was raiding the flock. Oh, also, roofing your run or putting the mesh over the top of the run will keep out flying predators. Other than that, make sure they're locked up safe at night. There's also motion sensor lights and motion activated driveway alarms that might help, too.

Hope there was something you can use from this and better luck with your next flock. Take care and I'm sorry for your loss.

Sincerely,
Jodi

 

[jwcloud]

several critters could be ar fault how high of the ground was the hole ? , how big was the hole width ,height ? was there tracks at point of entery ? but from what ive read in your post its a bobcat ?

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Quote:

.... The predator put a hole the size of a small child in the fence but i didn't find any fur. Two weeks ago something took our rooster and our Rouen duck at about the same time of night. found feathers, no bodies....

The size of the hole makes me think coyote, but leaving bodies behind isn't characteristic of them....

Two X chicken wire will not keep a two year old child out of your pen or run if the toddler wants inside. I vote for a dog or maybe another K9.

While it may not be characteristic of a coyote to leave food behind you must realize that a coyote only has one mouth with which to carry away one chick at a time, but when killing your chickens Mr or Mrs Coyote operates on the principle of making hay while the Sun shines.

 

[Kazfam]

So sorry...that must have been a terrible shock.

Thoughts are leaning towards either raccoons or foxes - the former will leave the kill, the latter will take it away to eat.

I would leave the chicken wire and add another layer of Galvanized Steel Welded Wire.

We have many raccoons and foxes and they have yet to get through this wire. Logs around the base of our fence have prevented digging under the fence.

We also have 4 outdoor cats...their smell and prowling helps.

I would also consider trying to trap what this might be...especially after you have reinforced the fence.

 

[allyson23]

Thank you everyone! I knew this would be the place to come

The hole was about 10 inches above the ground, big enough that my 8 year old son could fit through it.

We did know that chicken wire wasn't designed to keep predators out, since we never had a problem with predators in the past all we were trying to do was keep the girls contained so they'd stop trying to roost on our deck! Too much poop. But, we do have a couple rolls of chain link...I guess we will have to reconfigure our set-up.

Last night I tried to bait whatever it is with the dead chickens in one part of the yard, and 5 live chicks in a kennel in another part...and me hiding with a rifle, but no luck.

I never thought of foxes, never seen one, but that doesn't mean they aren't around! Same with bobcats. My sister is going to let me borrow her TrailCam and a live trap, we'll see what turns up!

 

[Michael OShay]

I would go with 1/2" hardware cloth instead of chain link. While it is true that nothing will tear through the chain link, there are predators like snakes and weasels that will go right through it and a weasel can take your entire flock out in a single night. Hardware cloth is both tear proof and impassable.