predator identification

noidhndlr

In the Brooder
11 Years
Apr 4, 2008
19
0
32
Hello,
I had 12 baby chicks ranging from 1 to 6 days old with their mother in a seperate pen. The only other critters I have seen in the pen are mice. Yesterday I came home and found three dead chicks. Two missing heads and the third a younger one only part left was a leg and thigh. Would this be from my hen?


Thanks
Holly
 

Backyard Hencam

Crowing
12 Years
Apr 27, 2009
1,330
471
306
California Central Coast
No, a hen would not do that. It sounds like a rat. They will attack chicks. I'm sorry you lost your chicks. A hen has no defenses against predators like rats.
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Frieza

In the Brooder
10 Years
Jun 17, 2009
31
0
22
Rats don´t remove the head. It´s more like minks and polecats to do such thing and they will probably be back to kill more or/and get the dead bodies of their last visit when they get hungry.
 

cochinbantam-lover

Songster
10 Years
May 1, 2009
1,207
2
169
Wisconsin
Oh that is horrible, those poor little babies!!
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Darn critters, it could be a rat, maybe a weasel? I would examine every inch of the area to see where it could have gotten in. And critter prepare for war!!!
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noidhndlr

In the Brooder
11 Years
Apr 4, 2008
19
0
32
Thanks so much for the responses. Hopefully all will be ok when I get home today. I will go a hunting!


Holly
 

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