Predator help

[Poultry parent]

Does anyone know what kind of predator picks birds off one by one and only leaves the wings? The last one left the feet as well. I know we have a raccoon since I've seen it in the run, but I don't know if they leave the feet

 

[Tlco]

http://ouroneacrefarm.com/poultry-predator-identification-a-guide-to-tracks-and-sign/

Try this link it may help

 

[redsoxs]

I'd say coyote or fox.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Does anyone know what kind of predator picks birds off one by one and only leaves the wings? The last one left the feet as well. I know we have a raccoon since I've seen it in the run, but I don't know if they leave the feet

If there is a large amount of feathers laying around it is most likely a raptor like a Red Tailed Hawk.

The Red Tailed Hawk is unable to carry off a standard adult chicken but it can make several visits to the scene of the crime and eat more of the evidence with each visit, finally flying off with the rest of the carcass.

Foxes, Bobcats, Coyotes, Eagles, etc all prefer to dine in private. Possums, Coons, Skunks, Mink etc will not usually consume that much chicken and don't have the snatch and run thing down pat. The 3 species of "Chicken" hawks all fall somewhere in between takeout food and eat in food.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Could be the same predator but had less time the first
time

 

[Howard E]

I think a single adult raccoon might do that. It is a likely candidate, knowing you already have one around.

What are you going to do about it if you knew?

How is it possible these birds are being killed?

Killed in the coop? In the run or yard? Time of day?

 

[Millworker26]

Does anyone know what kind of predator picks birds off one by one and only leaves the wings? The last one left the feet as well. I know we have a raccoon since I've seen it in the run, but I don't know if they leave the feet

I don't understand what the mystery is? If you have seen a coon in the run then that is the most obvious killer. It will certainly keeping coming back to an easy food source.

 

[jeanetteiacovon]

I had something get one of my golden comets,18 months old and very sweet hen, 5 nights ago. All that was left was 2 piles of smaller feathers, no tail or wing feathers and nothing of the hen not even blood. I thought a owl but a family of raccoons, I think 5 of them comes every couple nights. They are in my neighbors garbage every night. I have been sitting up every night waiting with my big flash light and my hose and my big mouth. It works well but I do need to get sleep. Does anyone know if the sonic lights on amazon work??? These girls/hens are my sweeties and not just egg layers. Like most of you, I love them and by me staying up ALL night to protect them shows what a nut I am. Any advise is happily received. I don't want to kill them and I am worried if I trap them I will separate mom from the young ones, they look old enough to hunt with mom but not ready to be by themselves. My daughter said I have to remove them one way or another but maybe I can do something so I don't put that family at risk. PLEASE HELP. Thank you

 

[Millworker26]

I had something get one of my golden comets,18 months old and very sweet hen, 5 nights ago. All that was left was 2 piles of smaller feathers, no tail or wing feathers and nothing of the hen not even blood. I thought a owl but a family of raccoons, I think 5 of them comes every couple nights. They are in my neighbors garbage every night. I have been sitting up every night waiting with my big flash light and my hose and my big mouth. It works well but I do need to get sleep. Does anyone know if the sonic lights on amazon work??? These girls/hens are my sweeties and not just egg layers. Like most of you, I love them and by me staying up ALL night to protect them shows what a nut I am. Any advise is happily received. I don't want to kill them and I am worried if I trap them I will separate mom from the young ones, they look old enough to hunt with mom but not ready to be by themselves. My daughter said I have to remove them one way or another but maybe I can do something so I don't put that family at risk. PLEASE HELP. Thank you

I understand it can be difficult for some to kill animals, but your daughter is right. Have you considered hiring a professional trapper, you can probably find a reasonable quote if you call around.

Save your money on sonic lights and other gizmos, raccoons are too smart for those things to be effective.

Good luck.

 

[Howard E]

I had something get one of my golden comets,18 months old and very sweet hen, 5 nights ago. All that was left was 2 piles of smaller feathers, no tail or wing feathers and nothing of the hen not even blood. I thought a owl but a family of raccoons, I think 5 of them comes every couple nights. They are in my neighbors garbage every night. I have been sitting up every night waiting with my big flash light and my hose and my big mouth. It works well but I do need to get sleep. Does anyone know if the sonic lights on amazon work??? These girls/hens are my sweeties and not just egg layers. Like most of you, I love them and by me staying up ALL night to protect them shows what a nut I am. Any advise is happily received. I don't want to kill them and I am worried if I trap them I will separate mom from the young ones, they look old enough to hunt with mom but not ready to be by themselves. My daughter said I have to remove them one way or another but maybe I can do something so I don't put that family at risk. PLEASE HELP. Thank you

Since you know you have raccoons, and do not want to harm those, your best bet is to starve them out. Make your coop virtually impossible for these raccoons to breach. That way they can be out there all night, every night, but it won't matter because they can't get to your birds to do them harm. If you then want to widen the perimeter for them to roam around in during the day, use an electric fence. That also works at night to keep most varmints at a safe distance.

I've seen quotes from experienced growers in areas with high predator populations who claim the only way you can keep birds at all is with tight, predator proof coops and electric fences. They actually let the varmints be.....but do train them / convince them that any attempt to get at your birds is going to fail. So they move on to something they can eat. Like your neighbors garbage.