Raccoon or what?

[mgray]

Last night something got into the chicken yard and killed 4 eight week old Marans. My husband found them scattered around, one was even in the chicken coop. He told me that the little ones chest/crop were eaten. The adult hen was fine. We have everyone locked in the coop tonight. I will probably always lock them inside now. Was this a raccoon? We live in a rural area, and I have seen foxes, among other critters.

 

[hokankai]

Raccoon is your number one suspect. That's what I would say it was.

 

[mgray]

Is there any way to raccoon proof a chicken yard? We have fencing, with the bottom, we thought, reinforced with more wire to keep a predator from digging under the fence. However, the top is not covered.

 

[ivan3]

Couple of strands of electric fencing is pretty effective for climbers (opossum/coon). If that is not possible then live traps/Duke dog proof traps (foot trap) will reduce the overall frequency of predation.

 

[hokankai]

If you put a strand near the top that should help. That and making sure they are locked up at night will help.

 

[redsoxs]

Yes, I'm afraid it does sounds like a raccoon. Hope you can keep him out. Good luck to you!