Predators

[Marion Cooper]

This is a mystery. I would think if the other chickens did it that they would have done more damage. You mention blood around the eyes, but I have seen where they peck the eyes out if they get a bird down and even where they pecked a lot of the flesh from it’s neck exposing the bone. Sounds to me like it was some other reason they died. Do you have weasel type predators around?

We have foxes and possums. One of the chickens was killed inside the coop and now the remaining chickens are unwilling to go into the coop which I find strange.

 

[canalcolt]

We have foxes and possums. One of the chickens was killed inside the coop and now the remaining chickens are unwilling to go into the coop which I find strange.

Does there seem to be any damage to coop or run? For me .. on my experiences.. foxes take the whole bird. Raccoons rip it to pieces and we found a dead duck still intact after raccoons attacked. and we haven't had any problems with possums but have heard that they can kill to chickens too or chew on them.

 

[Marion Cooper]

One of the Perspex windows in the coop was cracked. My coop is covered with netting so if it was a fox he would have been able to get in(the netting had a big hole in it, possibly chewed) but could not get out carrying a bird. I believe possums in Australia do not attack chickens.

 

[canalcolt]

I would search what predators u have in ur area. I have hooked up baby monitors and put up lights around my coop and that has helped me stop a fox attack by hearing the birds then seeing the fox. I was able to shoot it with rifle.

 

[aart]

One of the Perspex windows in the coop was cracked. My coop is covered with netting so if it was a fox he would have been able to get in(the netting had a big hole in it, possibly chewed) but could not get out carrying a bird. I believe possums in Australia do not attack chickens.

Welcome to BYC @Marion Cooper ...sorry you are having troubles.

You live in AU?
Please add that to your profile.
Sounds like some kind of predator, but I am not that familiar with preds in AU.
It's odd that the birds were not eaten.
Weasels here in the US would kill like that, bite the neck and drink the blood.

 

[CLSranch]

possums generally eat the insides and sometimes leave the whole carcass just gutted. And I think all possums will once they find an easy meal after running out of other just as easy options.
I like the baby monitor idea
I have had a hen killed in 1 day from the roosters after being separated and put back in the free range coop without much obvious damage. I could see it being your chickens (as a possibility not for certain) if you know they had been excessively picking on them.

 

[CLSranch]

One way to help with that if your not doing it already is free range or a much bigger coop/yard than you think you need. Even if you just open the coop up for a couple of hours in the evening if you are worried about predators.

 

[Marion Cooper]

Welcome to BYC @Marion Cooper ...sorry you are having troubles.

You live in AU?
Please add that to your profile.
Sounds like some kind of predator, but I am not that familiar with preds in AU.
It's odd that the birds were not eaten.
Weasels here in the US would kill like that, bite the neck and drink the blood.

Yes I do live in Aus. I guess I probably haven’t made myself very clear. I am just wondering if it is a strong possibility that the other chickens killed my barnaveldas as opposed to a predator.

 

[aart]

Yes I do live in Aus. I guess I probably haven’t made myself very clear. I am just wondering if it is a strong possibility that the other chickens killed my barnaveldas as opposed to a predator.

Probably not, that is pretty rare, especially not after a couple months...
....tho the other birds may start eating a dead chicken, especially if it's bloody.

 

[aart]

Oh...and....adding your location is easy, and most helpful.