Sad day... we lost another chicken

[Chichi_08]

went to open the coop this morning and noticed one of our chickens laying strangely in the corner. Under further investigation I realized she was dead. Poor girl. I believe her fellow sisters attacked her sometime over night but I can't seem to figure out why. Before we put them in for the night we noticed that the chicken wire wasn't attached as well on the inside. We didn't notice any paw prints anywhere on or around the coop. So we figured they were bored and had pecked and pulled at the wire. However when I checked the coop this morning I saw the wire had been pulled back again and tiny holes were made. Too small for a raccoon or a fisher. Is it possible a rat could do this? This is the second chicken we've lost in a month.

 

[Sara Ranch]

*hugs* I'm sorry for your loss.

It sounds like a predator came in and killed the chicken during the night - not her sisters.

Best to fix the chicken wire asap! I put a wood border/frame around my hardware cloth that is attached to windows or rooms so that the hardware cloth is sandwiched between the two solid surfaces.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I believe her fellow sisters attacked her sometime over night but I can't seem to figure out why. Before we put them in for the night we noticed that the chicken wire wasn't attached as well on the inside......However when I checked the coop this morning I saw the wire had been pulled back again and tiny holes were made.

So sorry for your loss

I agree with @Sara Ranch it sounds like some type of predator entered you coop overnight and killed your hen. The wire being pulled back would also make me lean toward that conclusion.

You may want to set a trap to see if you catch anything. A racoon can fit through a hole as small as 3-4" so don't discount them. Hopefully you can get the hole fixed and the offender caught.

 

[Madzillah]

From what I have read here, I wouldn't use anything but hardware cloth and either that frame (as described above) or a washer/screw scenario. (The frame will be more sturdy--especially if screws are used.) Apparently things like to pull these open. I have to go back and frame my ventilation; we just stapled that and I don't want something to pull it open.

I am so sorry about your chicken.

 

[meetthebubus]

i'm sorry for your loss!

 

[Chichi_08]

Thanks everyone for the kind words. We have taken down the chicken wire and put up some wood to cover the holes. We've also noticed another one of our flock was beaten up quite a bit too. She has a few cuts on her and a swollen eye. We've removed her from the flocked. She is currently sitting in our laundry room in a dog crate for the night. Hoping if she's removed for a few days she won't be picked on and can heel on her own. Fingers crossed tonight goes well

 

[sannabelle]

So sorry for your loss. You can always put blue kote on your injured girl when you put her back with the flock. Not on her eye of course, but on her other wounds.

Prayers for no more attacks and a speedy recovery!