mrsbigtime
Chirping
- May 4, 2022
- 17
- 42
- 56
I’ve been searching articles and some threads, but I can’t quite figure this predator out.
In the spring, we were having trouble with our birds disappearing. We assumed we had a hawk problem, so we partially covered the area and that has helped tremendously. When this was happening, the whole bird would just be gone and thus, we assumed bird.
Well, this morning, we woke up to 5 of our new girls dead. One was missing completely, but 4 carcasses were spread around the chicken area in various stages of attack. One head was left, but not attached, and of the 4 bodies left, most had one foot left only.
Unfortunately, I don’t necessarily know the specific timeline of events, as I had an event after work yesterday and I didn’t check on the girls when I got home (we have an automatic door to let them in and out and it usually works very well, we’ve not yet had an issue with the chickens not getting in at night, much less 5 of them). I’ve checked our Ring cameras, but the run doesn’t trigger events to record, so I just have a general overview of happenings and can’t see anything concerning. I just know they were all healthy and happy yesterday morning, and this morning we woke to a massacre.
Any ideas on what animal would attack multiple birds, most likely during the day, and leave the carcass and foot, but detach the head? I should also note one chicken very clearly had her breast meat exposed, but left intact, so I wonder if the attack was interrupted.
Thank you. It was a rough morning over here
In the spring, we were having trouble with our birds disappearing. We assumed we had a hawk problem, so we partially covered the area and that has helped tremendously. When this was happening, the whole bird would just be gone and thus, we assumed bird.
Well, this morning, we woke up to 5 of our new girls dead. One was missing completely, but 4 carcasses were spread around the chicken area in various stages of attack. One head was left, but not attached, and of the 4 bodies left, most had one foot left only.
Unfortunately, I don’t necessarily know the specific timeline of events, as I had an event after work yesterday and I didn’t check on the girls when I got home (we have an automatic door to let them in and out and it usually works very well, we’ve not yet had an issue with the chickens not getting in at night, much less 5 of them). I’ve checked our Ring cameras, but the run doesn’t trigger events to record, so I just have a general overview of happenings and can’t see anything concerning. I just know they were all healthy and happy yesterday morning, and this morning we woke to a massacre.
Any ideas on what animal would attack multiple birds, most likely during the day, and leave the carcass and foot, but detach the head? I should also note one chicken very clearly had her breast meat exposed, but left intact, so I wonder if the attack was interrupted.
Thank you. It was a rough morning over here
