please help

[Texasclucker]

I just came home to find all of my 12 chicks and 3 ducks completely vanished the only trace being a single cedar shaving with dried blood on it in the pasture behind my coop that goes straight into the woods and towards my neighbor's place could it be my neighbor's dogs that always come on my property every single day barking at me like I'm bothering them so please help me understand what it could possibly be I just got these chicks and ducklings they were so sweet and I had a breakdown I'm new here but have been stalking posts forever thanks anyone that can help and also the wire had a small dog-sized hole in the wiring (its a trio of chihuahua Yorkie mixes) also they were in what we call the aviary its where I put all my baby chicks when I get them it's supposed to be safe I just cant help but feel like it's my fault for trapping them in there with no way to get out there has been a ton of times I wanted to join byc so this was the breaking point any help on sleuthing is greatly appreciated

 

[RosemaryDuck]

I just came home to find all of my 12 chicks and 3 ducks completely vanished the only trace being a single cedar shaving with dried blood on it in the pasture behind my coop that goes straight into the woods and towards my neighbor's place could it be my neighbor's dogs that always come on my property every single day barking at me like I'm bothering them so please help me understand what it could possibly be I just got these chicks and ducklings they were so sweet and I had a breakdown I'm new here but have been stalking posts forever thanks anyone that can help and also the wire had a small dog-sized hole in the wiring (its a trio of chihuahua Yorkie mixes) also they were in what we call the aviary its where I put all my baby chicks when I get them it's supposed to be safe I just cant help but feel like it's my fault for trapping them in there with no way to get out there has been a ton of times I wanted to join byc so this was the breaking point any help on sleuthing is greatly appreciated

So sorry this happened to you. I can tell you it wasn't dogs though. Dogs tend to kill, and leave the bodies where they killed it. They don't eat it. They just play with the bird until it's dead. It sounds more like maybe a fox. They can fit several prey items in their mouths all at once, then make several trips back to the den. They do it with wild ducklings/goslings/etc.

 

[The Kooky Kiwi]

Are there any footprint impressions left on the ground that you can see? That might give you a "hint" as to what kind of animal got in.

I'm thinking.. the intruder needed to be fairly strong to break through the wire itself.. and yes a dog could have that strength.

Are you on good terms with your neighbour? Are you able to visit them to "politely ask" if their dogs have been off their property and/or have been seen acting differently? Please bear in mind that some owners are not aware that their dogs are "visiting" so try to make that a non blame or non confrontation visit - and rather aim for a conversation that results in the dogs not coming over again.

I'm very sorry to hear that you lost all your babies - is there any way you can fortify your aviary area? Perhaps put a electric fence a few inches off the ground and a few inches off the outside to deter further invasion attempts?

 

[Texasclucker]

They are very aware that their dogs visit they had murdered two of my old English hens that I loved very much we asked them to keep their dogs in lots of times to no avail and as for footprints what i could see looked dog sized and in the aviary it looked like there had been quite a disturbance the water was knocked off of the small rock i keep it on

 

[Texasclucker]

our neighbors are elderly so i cant really do much about it they arent really able to do a lot themselves so i just have to grin and bear it and it sucks

 

[Texasclucker]

okay thanks i don't know that we have foxes around here I just don't know what would have bent through the wire

 

[The Kooky Kiwi]

They are very aware that their dogs visit they had murdered two of my old English hens that I loved very much we asked them to keep their dogs in lots of times to no avail and as for footprints what i could see looked dog sized and in the aviary it looked like there had been quite a disturbance the water was knocked off of the small rock i keep it on

If It were me.. I would do the following:

Try to get photographic or video evidence to confirm the identity of the intruder(s).
Dogs will often make a return trip - so watch your aviary area. Put a bit of cardboard over the hole they made and see if they make an attempt to re-break in - that will be quite telling.

If it's within your budget to do so, install a game camera - and aim it at your chicken run - so you have video coverage when you are not there.

Research what your rights and responsibilities are for your area. What are you allowed (and more importantly not allowed) to do to protect your birds and property. No doubt there are others here who can more readily tell you what you are best to do in respect of authorities to inform etc.

If you get photographic or video evidence of your neighbours dogs coming into your chicken run - perhaps show them that (in the hopes it might jog them into doing something different) and if no luck, talk to your local animal control?

 

[Texasclucker]

If It were me.. I would do the following:

Try to get photographic or video evidence to confirm the identity of the intruder(s).
Dogs will often make a return trip - so watch your aviary area. Put a bit of cardboard over the hole they made and see if they make an attempt to re-break in - that will be quite telling.

If it's within your budget to do so, install a game camera - and aim it at your chicken run - so you have video coverage when you are not there.

Research what your rights and responsibilities are for your area. What are you allowed (and more importantly not allowed) to do to protect your birds and property. No doubt there are others here who can more readily tell you what you are best to do in respect of authorities to inform etc.

If you get photographic or video evidence of your neighbours dogs coming into your chicken run - perhaps show them that (in the hopes it might jog them into doing something different) and if no luck, talk to your local animal control?

okay thanks we do have game cameras already I don't know why I haven't thought of that idea yet I may go and get some more chicks tomorrow

 

[The Kooky Kiwi]

okay thanks we do have game cameras already I don't know why I haven't thought of that idea yet I may go and get some more chicks tomorrow

If you are planning on getting some more chicks I would recommend having a more secure area to put them in when you cannot be personally watching over them.
It would be rather disheartening for you if your mystery predator got those as well
Once you know who/what is breaking into your run, then you'll have a better idea on how to fortify it to deter future attempts.

Best of Luck!!!

 

[Texasclucker]

Also i feel like i should mention that there was an adult duck completely unscathed what the heck happened could it have also been rats