something killed 1 of our Rhone Island hens

[Jeepnut58]

Hi: On Sunday after We had our laying hens out to free ranging .And we were ready to put them in for the night.And I was counting the hens that were out of their shed and I came up short 1 hen.I looked under 1 of the campers that we had turned into a Chicken shed and There she was but she was not moving.So I got a Hoe and pulled her out from under camper and she was dead. She looked fine until I picked her up and noticed that her back side was open and all her intestines were all gone.Her head was all there, there were no bloody areas on her. She was still limp. So this is the 1st Chicken we have lost to a predator in 7 years. So what kind of Varmit would done this. We lock our chickens in every night in their sheds the door to the runs are on Pulley systems That We have to close.We have dog runs as the runs on the chicken sheds and has dog kennel wire on top of the runs. We are thinking about running electric fence around all of the chicken shed and runs.

 

[Weeg]

What is your location, and what predators do you have? Was it getting dark, yousiad lock esteem up for the night, I am thinking Raccoon, or Weasel. Bait a live trap, whatever it was will be back. Keep the birds locked up until you figure out what this is. @cooingcrow1

 

[Jeepnut58]

What is your location, and what predators do you have? Was it getting dark, yousiad lock esteem up for the night, I am thinking Raccoon, or Weasel. Bait a live trap, whatever it was will be back. Keep the birds locked up until you figure out what this is. @cooingcrow1

 

[Weeg]

Can you answer some of the questions?

 

[Jeepnut58]

Sorry I didn't say where we live we live in State of Iowa.It was about 6pm Iowa time.And we have locked all birds up in sheds and they can come out into their runs only during the day.All runs are made out dog kennels with tops on them.We are thinking Weasel But we will set live trap to see if we catch anything.Thank you for reply.

 

[Weeg]

Sorry I didn't say where we live we live in State of Iowa.It was about 6pm Iowa time.And we have locked all birds up in sheds and they can come out into their runs only during the day.All runs are made out dog kennels with tops on them.We are think Weasel But we will set live trap to see if we catch anything.Thank you for reply.

Live trap is a good idea. I am thinking weasel, or raccoon too.

 

[Jeepnut58]

Thank you for your help.

Live trap is a good idea. I am thinking weasel, or raccoon too.

 

[Davethebirdman]

Hi: On Sunday after We had our laying hens out to free ranging .And we were ready to put them in for the night.And I was counting the hens that were out of their shed and I came up short 1 hen.I looked under 1 of the campers that we had turned into a Chicken shed and There she was but she was not moving.So I got a Hoe and pulled her out from under camper and she was dead. She looked fine until I picked her up and noticed that her back side was open and all her intestines were all gone.Her head was all there, there were no bloody areas on her. She was still limp. So this is the 1st Chicken we have lost to a predator in 7 years. So what kind of Varmit would done this. We lock our chickens in every night in their sheds the door to the runs are on Pulley systems That We have to close.We have dog runs as the runs on the chicken sheds and has dog kennel wire on top of the runs. We are thinking about running electric fence around all of the chicken shed and runs.

Pepper spray ready!

 

[cmom]

Did you ever figure out what killed your bird? Just curious.