Nighttime Attack--Whodunit?

[aart]

Perhaps if we hadn't heard them and run outside it would have killed them.

Could be....it'll be back.

 

[abigailjt]

Could be....it'll be back.

For sure. We'll have it reinforced by tonight. Might add in some sort of noisy deterrent as well.

 

[Cyprus]

Yes, when I was researching predators as we built the coop I came across that. I guess I was just surprised that the raccoon was so unsuccessful. Perhaps if we hadn't heard them and run outside it would have killed them.

If it was a juvenile, it would not surprise me

 

[roosterhavoc]

For sure. We'll have it reinforced by tonight. Might add in some sort of noisy deterrent as well.

Might want to add a trap.

 

[wildwestcoast]

When a mink attacked my birds it was biting at them, the two it killed had bitten combs and neck area. Do you have weasels where you are?

 

[NCHydrangea]

We’ve already sealed the entry point this morning. It was basically a small hole that I could fit up to my forearm through. I have an a-frame coop so the predator pushed the hardware cloth away from the wood un-stapling it and reached right into the roosting area. I think whatever it was reached in and grabbed around but couldn’t get his whole body in. A lot of feathers strewn about, but not enough to leave bare patches on my girls. We have small shallow flesh wounds around two girls combs and that’s it. None of them seem to be in shock (I’ve treated for it after a hawk attack before) and everyone is acting normal. I’ve also put ointment on the wounds. Also, I added location to my profile, but we are in Durham, NC right outside of a downtown area. There are some trees and brush around, but no large wooded areas near me, mostly just homes with backyards and roads

I have nothing to add, but I’m in Durham too! I don’t have chickens yet, but trying to get ready for Spring babies. I’m modifying a cheap prefab coop and plan on glueing and screwing trim around the inside of the windows over the hardware cloth staples.
I used to think raccoons were so cute.