phatty
Hatching
- Feb 10, 2016
- 1
- 0
- 7
I have my chickens free ranging, with a small shelter inside an electric fence (energized at around 8000 volts). A few weeks ago, I heard a commotion out there at about 11:30 pm and went out to find a rooster with his head and neck eaten, and an EE pullet missing. I didn't think anything could get inside the electric fence!. I put some wire up on the sides, and left a small, maybe 4"x4" space to allow the chickens to get out in the early mornings, I'm not available every morning to let them out. Last night, again at 11:30, I heard a chicken screaming, and found a Rhode Island Red pullet with her head and neck eaten. There was a pile of feathers in one corner of the coop, and her body in another corner, right by the edge. She was roosting up maybe 2 feet off the ground, something would have had to have pulled her off the roost. What is killing my chickens? Why does he wait 2 weeks then come back? At the same time of night!!! Can a possum/raccoon etc. get into a fence energized at 8000 volts? I read some stuff that made me think it could be an owl. There were feathers scattered around a fence post on the first kill. Is an owl smart enough to find that little 4x4 opening and get through it? What can I do??? Please someone help me! My chickens are getting eaten one by one and I'm scared for them tonight!