Predator question

[Pollo Blanco]

Bengal tiger, or a polar bear most likely. Oh wait, where did you say you live?

Just like you, I ruled out ball python right away.

 

[Chelsnmitch]

WARNING GRAPHIC PICTURE AHEAD!

Did it look anything like this: (minus the mink)
View attachment 2216780

They were laying with their necks bent and their heads backwards. Some puncture wounds. No blood. No feathers on the ground. The chickens were fine in the kennel next to this one.

Just like you, I ruled out ball python right away.

This is not funny. I am devastated. These were my pets. I loved them and was crying and sobbing when I found out.

 

[Isaac 0]

They were laying with their necks bent and their heads backwards. Some puncture wounds. No blood. No feathers on the ground. The chickens were fine in the kennel next to this one.

This is not funny. I am devastated. These were my pets. I loved them and was crying and sobbing when I found out.

So sorry hopefully some pictures of your setup will give us some clues. I live in Iowa too.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I’ve never heard of a mink having to open a latch though. They are so tiny they can squeeze through a 1” opening. So very sorry

 

[EverythingDucks]

I'm so sorry for your losses. It must be hard to lose them all of a sudden.
Could you describe what exactly the puncture wounds looked like?

 

[Ratchnick]

My first thought is always racoon. But I'm bias against them. I have family that lives in Washington and their attacks seem to all be similar over the last 20 years.

Racoons killed for sport, they might eat part of one and usually its the guts/undeveloped eggs.

Their fox attacks usually involve one bird that is hauled away.

Eagle attacks are a dead bird in a big pile in an open area that has been eaten in place.

Weasels usually go into a killing frenzy like raccoons but they bite and often eat the head. They may try and stash the bodies in a dark corner to come back for later. Their hallmark is not knowing how anything could have gotten into the coop as it was locked up tight.

 

[Chelsnmitch]

Could you post a picture of the twisted latch, and what you're keeping them in?

Here’s their pen and the latch how it was turned.

 

[Chelsnmitch]

First let me say I am sorry for your losses. It had to be a gut wrenching thing to see.
Where are you located? We don't need exact address . Just a general location.

Did they kill allll your birds!
Soooo....
A morning/daytime kill
No mauling/shaking as no feathers scattered
No blood staining

I agree pics of the damage to the latch will help.

This is what our set up is and the latch.

 

[Chelsnmitch]

WARNING GRAPHIC PICTURE AHEAD!

Did it look anything like this: (minus the mink)
View attachment 2216780

Here’s how mine were. The 3 punctures are all that I’ve found. The worst one is the 2nd one under the wing

 

[Chelsnmitch]

WARNING GRAPHIC PICTURE AHEAD!

Did it look anything like this: (minus the mink)
View attachment 2216780

WARNING”””” Graphic images”””