Predator ID - Got half our chickens :(

[SmallFarmChix]

We keep our chickens inside our barn at night. All the doors are closed and we have 3 horses in there as well that we think would have helped to scare off most predators. 2 goats in one of the stalls, they sleep in there at night. During the day, all are free range. We let our horses, goats and chickens roam. We know there is a little risk with this, but we did not think it would be too bad as the goats and chickens usually stay around us or horses. We also have a cat and couple dogs that roam around as well - They don't harm the chickens, they don't really care (well, every now and then the one lab like to chase them a little here and there for play, but nothing bad...)

We are working on a secure coop outside, but it is quite the project with running fencing and wire along the base, and just getting it all constructed to have good ventilation, no drafts, secure, a run, drainage, etc.

Here is the situation/riddle:

- We have about 22 chickens in the barn who have been sleeping in the general area for the last 6 months. 6 mature hens, 1 mature rooster and about 15 that are around 4-5 months old.
- We have another 8 little ones in a coop that is secured. We keep them in there to familiarize them with the others before letting them out.

- The 6 adult hens and rooster like to roost on top of one of the coops at night (above the 8 little ones)
- There are 3 of the 4-5 month old that like to get on top of their coop and sleep.
- The others tend to sleep on the ground in the coop or around it (the door is open as they roam about the barn area)

- We open up the barn around 8am and then get them all in and secure before the sun goes down.

We came out in the morning and something got to 11 of our chickens... we are trying to determine what it was as it just seems very hard to tell based on everything I have been reading up on. Also, I want to make sure we have all our chix safe now and when we have the new coop built.

Building
- We examined the barn and seems that one of the barn doors was jimmy'd loose and there was a gap of maybe 6 inches where the bottom of the door was pulled out. There should be a guide there to keep it closer, but I guess it is not on that door. So we are guessing this is where the suspect got in. We do not know if the animal worked at the door to pry it, or if maybe something hit it and jarred it loose. Hard to say.
- One of the dutch door tops was opened as well. It is by the hay bails and we are not sure how it was opened. It would have to open from the inside. Very unlikely wind did this as we have had some BIG wind storms and it has never opened before. It is fairly hard to open and close because it contacts the wood and sticks. I think that maybe with whatever was happening, something hit the upper door and it opened. But still possible it could have been the point of entry... I just don't think so as it is 4 feet up and swings out, not in.

Chickens (victims of this horrible crime)
- 9 of them are missing and no trace, just feathers around where they were all sleeping. They were smaller as they were full size Silkies, a Sizzle, 2 Faverolles. Some of them slept behind the coop, others in front and others inside the coop. All of them gone.
- 2 of them we found outside the barn. They were 2 light Brahmas We do not know if they got out somehow and were caught outside, or if they were dragged outside. They were laying there and had their mid section eaten a little. Some inners were next to the bodies as well. They did not seem to be greatly mauled or anything. Also, one of them seemed to have a chunk ripped off and laying a foot away. One was 20 feet away from the barn to the west (on the side of the barn with the open dutch door) and the other about 50 in one of our pastures (on the side of the barn opposite to the door that seemed to be pryed open 6 inches).
- Heads were on both and they seemed to be barely eaten (midsection). Legs and all seemed ok too.

So we are trying to determine what this could be as when I read about predators, I feel like there isn't a description to fit this since we found 2, but missing others. Remaining chickens are all visibly ok and 2 of those were very small (but they were sleeping on top of their coop).

Anyway, any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Thank you.

 

[minnehaha]

HHHMMM....the pried open bottom door gap sounds like the work of a raccoon with their nasty little hands. They also left a crime scene which is typical of a raccoon. Last night my friend lost 8 meat birds to raccoon. They pried a board off of the side of the chicken coop and helped theme selves to 8 birds leaving body parts everywhere.

So sorry for your loss. I despise raccoons.

I've lost many rabbits to those bastardeos!

 

[ronikins]

My first thought, just like minnehaha, is that it's a raccoon(s). I had several lay waste to 4 cuckoo Maran's that were about 4 months old. Body parts everywhere in the coop and some just missing. They are gnarly little turds and they'll keep coming back. You can trap and release but there's a good chance they'll just come right back... Not sure how you feel about shooting them but it might be your only choice not easy either. My husband has become a pro at sitting at 2am in the driveway, holding a .22 and a flashlight. (According to him, they show up around 10pm and come back around 2-4am....)

Sorry for your loss. Definitely not something you wanna discover at the dawn of the day.

Good luck!

 

[YlurIcelandic]

Well, I agree with raccoon. I hate them as well, having lost quite a few over the years... In my experience, though, they don't kill that many at a time, but they do leave body parts all over the place. Nasty pests. I'm sorry and definitely sympathize with you. The only real way to prevent it from ever happening again is to just secure the barn. I have no idea about the dutch door. Hope this helps!
- Ylur

 

[ZoeS95423]

Most likely was more then one raccoon. They're terrible things. We used to have birds in my parents old horse barn, in what we thought was secure. There were 2 separate stalls, once we kept chickens, the other pheasants.
We wired up any opening and put hardware clothe on the windows.
Of course this old horsebarn was set up so above where the stalls was used as a hay now, at one point. So the ceiling was also a floor. It was made of 4 x6 boards. They were not at all rotted in anyway for being so old.
One day we came in to everything except one chicken dead or missing. Out of 15 birds.
The pheasants were just dead.
The raccoons dug through the ceiling! After sitting out at night waiting for their return we ended up killing 6 of them. Within a week!
Never under estimate what a coon can do. They are smart and crafty little guys!

 

[SmallFarmChix]

Thanks for all the info everyone. Helps me plan out for the new coop... wire under the dirt and out from the coop 12-16".

We are definitely going to be more cautious now. Our barn was steel and has steel stalls and hardware. Guess just insane that they found the one way to get in.... We have fixed that so all are secure now. But I still worry as there is one area they may be able to dig under dirt... so it is all chickens in the coops until further notice!

Thanks again!!!