Preditor that can slide open chicken door take 8 chickens

[Rammy]

My vote is human. Watch CL for chickens like yours up for sale. Id also get a game cam, put it up high where no one will see it and point it at the coop. If there are sny left they may be back.

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

A fox can get inside a coop through the smaller exit/entry door and will take 8?

A fox will cache mass kills to feed their young. It’s called hen house syndrome.

 

[Butterscotchbitesfinger]

A fox can get inside a coop through the smaller exit/entry door and will take 8?

Yeah, for sure. I heard a rumour that anything they can get their head through the rest of their body can follow. How big is the coop?

 

[Shadrach]

The most probable explanation is the person who was looking after your chickens while you were away either didn't remember to close the coop or didn't close the door properly.
The odds that in this short span of time a predator just happened to arrive and be able to open the coop door while you were away, but hasn't managed to do this while you are there just don't add up. Predators have rounds. They know where the chickens live because they live within easy walking distance and probably pass by your coops every night. It only takes that one night of forgetfulness and the predator takes advantage.

 

[LindaMarieLaur]

Yeah, for sure. I heard a rumour that anything they can get their head through the rest of their body can follow. How big is the coop?

I believe it is this one. If not it is very close in size. https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...MIxb_JpZWC4QIVAobICh3-iw6MEAkYASABEgI2MvD_BwE

 

[LindaMarieLaur]

The most probable explanation is the person who was looking after your chickens while you were away either didn't remember to close the coop or didn't close the door properly.
The odds that in this short span of time a predator just happened to arrive and be able to open the coop door while you were away, but hasn't managed to do this while you are there just don't add up. Predators have rounds. They know where the chickens live because they live within easy walking distance and probably pass by your coops every night. It only takes that one night of forgetfulness and the predator takes advantage.

I wondered about this. This is my sister's coop. She always closes them in at night and I thought perhaps he didn't close it or that he closed them out although I can't figure that senerio out. I agree, they do have regular rounds. I have a fox that goes behind both of my chicken coops regularly and once at least down near the bachelors and ducks. He or she then goes to my pond. I know this from snow tracks in fresh snow and my one rooster makes a heck of a racket when it goes by.

My vote is human. Watch CL for chickens like yours up for sale. Id also get a game cam, put it up high where no one will see it and point it at the coop. If there are sny left they may be back.

This is a great idea. i will suggest to her a cam. I think I could use at least one too.

 

[Cyprus]

Sounds like humans in some way shape or home. Whether that is human error or stealing is anyone's guess.

 

[LindaMarieLaur]

Sounds like humans in some way shape or home. Whether that is human error or stealing is anyone's guess.

I tend to think that way, but was wondering which preditors might do this since the caretaker says he closed the coop.

 

[LindaMarieLaur]

There is another part to this that I just realized. There aren't any feathers inside the coop. Wouldn't you think they should be there as well as in the yard?

 

[WVduckchick]

Which door was opened? The one on the outside that swings, or the one by the ramp that slides? Is it enclosed? There are things that can slide those door, but if hers is anything like mine, the track gets full of poop and isn't always easy to clean, making sliding much more difficult.

I'm with @Shadrach somebody forgot to close it and made up a little story.

I definitely think there would be feathers inside also. Those are very small for 8 full size chickens. I use one as a grow-out coop for babies only.

I do hope she finds some that ran away to hide, and may turn up.