Official BYC Poll: The Worst Predator

[Lauravonsmurf]

Foxes are smart... in theory they are around too, but I have not seen them.

 

[bwebster]

Anyone ever have an issue with a Fisher? One was screaming in the vicinity of the coop last night. Haven't had any predator issues thus far, but this is our first year. We have most everything on that list besides a cougar. Run is fully enclosed and protected so hopefully they'll stay safe.

 

[Tammymara]

We lost almost all of our flock about a month ago, to an unknown predator. It occurred during the daytime while most of the flock was free-ranging. 8 out of our 9 chickens were killed, including our rooster. 5 of them were head and neck-less. There was a large amount of feathers everywhere, nothing else too out of the ordinary. There was no noticeable breach in our fence. We've asked some friends and neighbors and have been told it might have been a racoon or fox. We set some traps but have not caught any animals. I keep reading about hawks, but would one hawk kill all 8 chickens just to eat some of the heads? Also very little blood around the area. Any thoughts or ideas? Thanks

 

[Chicken Heel]

We lost almost all of our flock about a month ago, to an unknown predator. It occurred during the daytime while most of the flock was free-ranging. 8 out of our 9 chickens were killed, including our rooster. 5 of them were head and neck-less. There was a large amount of feathers everywhere, nothing else too out of the ordinary. There was no noticeable breach in our fence. We've asked some friends and neighbors and have been told it might have been a racoon or fox. We set some traps but have not caught any animals. I keep reading about hawks, but would one hawk kill all 8 chickens just to eat some of the heads? Also very little blood around the area. Any thoughts or ideas? Thanks

Sounds like a mink or weasel but they are generally nocturnal as are racoons. Foxes tend to take one bird at a time but keep coming back once they find a source of food. I feel for your losses.

 

[Featherballs]

I would normally say Raccoon, but you can defend against raccoons. I chose Hawk because it is difficult to protect your hens when grazing from something you don't see until it's too late. I have lost a few hens to them, even under the trees.

 

[jeepgrrl]

For me, Hawks would be the worst - lost two pullets, another hen survived two attacks, a second hen survived one attack. Red fox would be the runner up.
Great poll, I just wish it wasn't necessary!

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I did bobcat because we've lost birds to dogs, coyote and a racoon, but only a bobcat was able to wipe out 7 full grown heritage turkeys in 10 days under our front deck

 

[It was the bantam]

Where i come from the biggest scourge is the pine martin.An absolute odious creature and if it gets in your coop it will kill every bird you have in the one go.Bad and all as the fox is at least they usually only kill one bird and take it away.I am a big animal lover and have respect for all creatures with the one exception of the pine martin.The damage they do to all wildlife is horrendous.And if they get cornered they will attack even humans such is their vicious nature.

 

[Birdmom2020]

In my area I would say coyotes and foxes. There are alot of dogs around here but none even pay any mind to my birds and I think it's bc (I'm guessing) most of their owners have chickens as well. I have ducks and ironically a golden retriever/lab mix (bird dog). He does watch the ducks closely. But he's also goofy and thinks he's momma hen. He thinks he's a bird herding dog. When they're out free range ( not a whole lot bc my neighbors are buttheads) he follows and makes sure they get back to where they need to be. If they get too close to the road he goes and pushes them back away from the road. He points Everytime they get too noisy as if he's worried. If I'm outside for more than a few min he goes and lays against the fencing and they come over and pick at his fur. Lol

It's so weird to me bc he's 3.5 yrs and never been around birds until this year. He was in quarantine the first month we had them and came home and treated them like his babies. He's never once acted aggressive toward them at all. But my goofy Gunner will chase the wild birds away from the coop!! Lol he's truly something special!

 

[JeniferBehm]

I collected materials on the topic of protection against predators
https://prestigequeen.com/fox-proof-chicken-coop/