Something broke into the run!

[Starpod]

𝕀𝕟𝕧𝕖𝕤𝕥𝕚𝕘𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 𝕥𝕚𝕞𝕖

Something broke into the run last night.
My mom and dad think it’s rats but I need confirmation.
We think it got into the run but couldn’t get into the coop.
This has happened before maybe 2 weeks earlier.
Could you guys help me figure out what dug here?

Thank you!

 

[sourland]

Something other than rats. Rats would simply have dug a rat sized hole.

 

[McChooky]

You need an apron around your run to keep out diggers.( In my opinion you could have a fox trying to get your chickens) The hardware cloth needs to be buried a foot or so and extend out about a foot. (We have rocky soil and tree roots so burying it is impossible here.) I use chicken wire and welded wire on top of the hardware cloth too, its virtually impossible to dig thru on the bottom when you use all 3. .I'm building garden beds around my runs and filling them with perennial garden plants.

 

[Starpod]

You need an apron around your run to keep out diggers.( In my opinion you could have a fox trying to get your chickens) The hardware cloth needs to be buried a foot or so and extend out about a foot. (We have rocky soil and tree roots so burying it is impossible here.) I use chicken wire and welded wire on top of the hardware cloth too, its virtually impossible to dig thru on the bottom when you use all 3. .I'm building garden beds around my runs and filling them with perennial garden plants.

I’ll try that!
I’m not sure if we have foxes in Houston but I’ll check!
In fact I’ll do it now.

 

[Starpod]

What do you think?
Was the digger going after the feed or chickens?

 

[Starpod]

My dad has laid out some hardware cloth.
Nothings getting in tonight.
My mom says that she’s never seen a fox in our neighborhood,
only raccoons, opossums and armedillos.

 

[Starpod]

We don't have Armadillos' Lol I know nothing about them but dogs,foxes and coyotes love to dig and are good at it.So are skunks and weasels or minks.Just so you know a fox gives off a slight odor of a skunk if you smell it.Glad you got that fixed for tonight! Thats good news!

Thank you! Have a good night/morning!

 

[cmom]

My suggestion is if you have a game camera put it up because what ever it was will most likely be back and then you will know for sure whats lurking. My first thought would be a fox or maybe a possum. They love chicken. Good luck...
http://www.poultrydvm.com/featured-infographic/tips-for-protecting-poultry-from-predators

 

[Starpod]

Something other than rats. Rats would simply have dug a rat sized hole.

Thank you!
do you have any idea what could’ve broken in then?

 

[McChooky]

What do you think?
Was the digger going after the feed or chickens?

I think its safe to assume it didn't go thru all that trouble for the feed. Foxes do eat eggs but do not eat grains in the wild.