Sad day, need help

[Birdsong 82]

And surprisingly the only thing I found left of that chicken was a couple bones. Clean

 

[cmom]

I'm an advocate of game cameras. I have several on my property and most night I see coyotes, fox, coons, possums, owls, sometimes stray cats and stray dogs. I had a bobcat kill several of my Pheasants years ago and I caught one on camera awhile back. If there is a way in they will find it.

 

[cmom]

Also,

 

[Birdsong 82]

And most predators remember where they got their last tasty meal so you can prepare to probably expect him back. We deal with bobcats weasels coyotes raccoons and foxes in here recently there have been coywolf sightings in central western and northern va. I actually saw one a couple miles from my house myself. I feel like a larger predator would’ve done more damage to the run. Sometimes when it comes to killing them inside the run I feel like smaller ones are scarier the larger ones.

 

[ChickenyChickeny]

I think a mink, a weasel, or a racoon? Sorry for your loss

 

[Sylv]

My first thought is that you have a weasel. There are different members of the weasel family, some larger than others. Typically weasels go for the head, kill several chickens, and can squeeze through some pretty small holes. The smaller ones can be extremely hard to keep out of your coop. You need to seal all holes with small mesh wire, cracks around doors can often be big enough to let a weasel in. I don't know what area or even country you are in so I don't know what members of the weasel family may be native to your area.

You free range and I think you are talking about adult chickens, not immature ones. When you have a lot of room and you are dealing with adults it is typically not hard to integrate chickens. The problem typically come in when space is tight or you mix ages/maturity levels, which describes a majority of the integrations you read about on here.

I don't know what your coop looks like, size or anything else, or what you can do about the predator. Your integration issues may center around the coop, especially if it is small. Another possibility is that the new ones may go walkabout or roost in trees if you just turn them loose on your property instead of confining them for a few days so they see it as home. You can have issues but with adults and lots of room integration should not be that bad.

Good luck!

My first thought was a weasel or a ferret (if you have those in the US) I had much the same thing happen to me a couple of years ago. I hatched some lovely little polish/frizzle bantams I put them in what I thought was our safest coop shut up for the night, went out in the morning and found them all killed and one or two partly eaten. The tiny crack the wretched thing must have got through was so small it was almost unbelievable but the evidence was there to see. I am sorry for your loss, the shock is so bad when you think you have done everything to keep them safe.

 

[Chicksandhorsesandogsohmy]

I had a haw issue last fall. Lost 13 over a few months. Mine are free range but go int the barn at night. The hawk actually ripped off things I had put up to block the wires. Like yours mine didnt venture out past the barn for quite a while. They do come back once they have found an easy meal. Luckily it was in the barn one day when my son went to get eggs. Dcared the haek and it hasnt been back. Apparently he was also killing robins at my neighbors. I have never had a problem integrating but again, mine have 4 acres to each find their own niche. They do all end up as one flock eventually. Im sure it will be harder in an enclosed space. I hope all goes well for your lone one.

 

[bobbi-j]

My first thought is mink or weasel. I've had a couple of mink attacks over the past year and a half, and yours sounds similar. The mink ate the backs of my chickens' heads. That was it. When DH discovered the most recent one, there was one bird left alive - kind of. He had to finish it off. Mink and weasels can squeeze in through the smallest of spaces.

 

[Mrs. K]

Look very carefully along any small opening, you are looking for the tiny feathers. Often times that will give you a clue to the weakness of your coop. I have SO been there.

Set up a live trap, if you feel you can deal with this. Tuna fish has worked well for me, but so has sandwich meat. You really do need to trap the offender as once they figure this food source out they will be back. However, a live trap will need some one to dispose of what you catch, and you cannot believe how cute a coon will look. Thank God for DH.

A hot wire can also discourage predators. And lots more wire. The best I have found is a combination of chain link fence, lined with chicken wire. In my old coop, that worked. In the new coop, did not get that, and have had been sure numerous times, only to be proven wrong.

As to the chickens, yes, I would get more, as soon as possible, if they are the same size, do the see not touch for a few days, and then with multiple feeders and waters and hideouts, mix them up.

Mrs. K

 

[CBsFutureFarm]

Thank you all so very much for all of your condolences and support. I am afraid I must impose with another problem now.

I did go and get my girl some flockmates, but decided on variety this time. So I had 2 red sex link and 2 americanas. They divided themselves by breed, which I thought was interesting, but were doing okay together. Went out this morning and one of the Americanas is gone. Clearly a fox this time, and, although it was upsetting to lose another chicken so quickly, he did help me understand where the weaknesses in my run / coop are and I am fixing those today.

my problem is this: The red sex links are being awful to the Americana that is left. They won't let her near the food or water and chase her away if she gets to close to them. She won't even come out of the coop into the run unless I am there. I am trying not to panic as all of this has only been since sometime last night when the other bird was taken, but I am worried about her and the "flock." And and all thoughts and suggestions are greatly appreciated (my set up is a raised nesting coop (about 3.3 feet off the ground) and about 5×3. The run is the entire space under that plus about 16×16) .