PLEASE HELP ME! Face being eaten? Beaks gone???? Help! GRAPHIC PICS!!!

[leadwolf1]

Just purchased a poultry magazine with a section on predator identification included. Within that article, the author points out that rats will in fact chew the beaks and faces off of chickens. "Rats may leave strange signs: CHEWED OFF BEAKS, bites on legs or pulled out feathers". Taken from the magazine Chickens. Hope this helps.

 

[Smokin Silkies]

No missing parts, no evidence inside or outside. None of them were acting any differently. Checked ALL around the coop and can't see anywhere where they could've gotten there beaks stuck.

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[Smokin Silkies]

Thank you and yes they have all been culled. I wouldn't dream of letting them suffer any longer than possible. It was horrible for me to take pictures but I just had to, to get help on what may be causing it.

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It's a long thread, but even skimming would help let you know that the birds have already been culled. The owner is very responsible and attentive.

 

[Smokin Silkies]

Thats a great idea!! I'm going to have to try the flour thing and see what happens. Raccoons are very smart! I'm guessing this is a weasel or possum after more research.

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[Smokin Silkies]

My other chickens didn't do this to them...they are White so I would've seen blood or something on them if they were pecking at another one.

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[Smokin Silkies]

Yes it was

She was such a sweetheart! When I opened up the coop doors, she came running to me to pet her...thats when I saw what happened

Broke my heart in a million pieces to see that! Hurt even more when I had to take pictures of her. So very sad! And thanks so very much for the offer

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[chickenfeverforever]

The chicken wire is plenty big enough for rats, mice, moles and weasels. Moles, rats and weasels are small, and since the hole is large enough for them to fit thru, they are not large enough to drag off any prey. I'm sure they are attacking and then getting the hell out of dodge. We had something attack our birds one time that ate their heads and nothing else. Left the bodies to rot. Your coop is not secure and I dont think this is the work of a person. I would say without a doubt you have a small preditor. Try sitting out a trap. That way you can catch it and know for sure and buy the right poisons/traps.

 

[chickenfeverforever]

I just wanted to add. You really should try to trap whatever it is. I am not sure of anyone else has advised this. If you get everything covered well, He knows he can get Silkies there and will keep returning bringing even more preditors your way. TSC sells a 2 trap kit for cheap. Set it out and just see what you catch.

 

[thndrdancr]

Browneye,
There was not one bit of blood or anything on any of my other chicks beaks either. Nothing. I couldnt figure WHAT had happened, and they were all acting the same, even the poor chickie with the missing beak. Mine was not nearly as bad as yours, but still bad enuff. I can honestly say they left NO evidence whatsoever, but it couldnt have been anything else with mine.

I just wanna cry for your poor birds, breaks my heart.

 

[Rhett&SarahsMom]

OMG So very sorry for you and your girls. That would completely devastate me.. in fact I am thinking of running out and checking on the girls now.

Just so you know. Do NOT use a staple gun to attach the hardware clothe . Raccoons, possums and such can rip that right off. Staples are just not strong enough. We learned that the hard way. A raccoon tore the stuff right off and got our Sophie. Luckily the main coop run was complete and done right. We have decking screws that we put thru large washers and drilled into the wood. The entire run, and the window on the coop is done like that. As well as the brooder top my dh made for the new chicks. The addition will be done the same way .. as well as the summer door we are building to increase airflow when it warms up here.

Again, I am so sorry.