Something is getting into our coop and stealing chicks and eggs!

[Rustysflock]

Hi.
Please help us. Over the past week we have been finding burrow holes going from outside to under the fence and in the coop. We have have chicks vanish without a feather and no eggs so presumably they are being stolen or our hens are scared and not laying.
We are filling the holes up but they come back every night. Our coop is dug into the ground so they are burrowing deep underneath.
My husband is going on a stakeout tonight with the dogs but any clue what could be doing this and how to stop them? We are thinking rats or mink.

 

[townchicks]

I'm thinking skunk. Could be rats. No personal experience with mink, but from what I've read here, they would be killing the hens too.

 

[Molpet]

hardware cloth apron around the perimeter.. staked on the ground.. out to several feet

 

[aart]

Too small for skunk holes....some kind of rodent.
If that is a 2x4 at the base:

hardware cloth apron around the perimeter.. staked on the ground.. out to several feet
View attachment 1552270

THis^^^

More examples of anti-dig apron installation:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1110498/wire-around-coop#post_17093528

 

[Rustysflock]

hardware cloth apron around the perimeter.. staked on the ground.. out to several feet
View attachment 1552270

That looks like an idea, thank you. Some of the burrow holes are over a meter from the fence

I'm thinking skunk. Could be rats. No personal experience with mink, but from what I've read here, they would be killing the hens too.

I'm thinking skunk. Could be rats. No personal experience with mink, but from what I've read here, they would be killing the hens too.

Too small for skunk holes....some kind of rodent.
If that is a 2x4 at the base:
View attachment 1552538


THis^^^

More examples of anti-dig apron installation:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1110498/wire-around-coop#post_17093528

thank you

 

[New2Chicks97]

What kind of floor do you have in your coop? Dirt? Wood? If it is dirt maybe dig down several inches and put a layer of hardware cloth in then replace the dirt? This should help to keep whatever it is that is digging in to the coop out.

 

[aart]

Some of the burrow holes are over a meter from the fence

Then maybe more likely rats...I think they will tunnel further?
Do you have a game cam you could set up to see what you're dealing with?

Where in this world are you located?
Climate is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, then it's always there!

 

[Sue S]

We had the same problem with groundhogs & skunks digging underneath our duck pen
( my husband finally poured a concrete floor so we no longer have that problem ) but before he did that which was months before he got motivated to do it!!!! A friend told us to get broken glass & bury it around the pen in the dirt so when an animal digs it will get it's paws cut up & won't mess with the pen. Yes, I know it sounds awful to do, but when it comes to protecting our animals, you have to make them safe any way you can

 

[Warwickchickenhill]

I'd leave the dogs in so it's quiet to he able to see activity,I'd check for the varmits poo if its rats you may find it

 

[50-45-1]

Looks and sounds like rats.
You should be able to trap the rats, but there is more where they came from.
Do you move this coop?
Any solution i think of will make the coop stationary, or at least heavier and harder to move..
Realize that if a rat gets in so can a mouse,weasel, snake just to name the ones i can think of right now.
A weasel will kill every bird you have overnite just for fun.
You must fortify there coop at least to be preditor proof, chickens are defenseless at night.