Something killed my chickens but didn't eat them

[LeahAngel]

The more I research, the more I think civet. Apparently we have them here and they can take on a rooster. He dropped dead in the middle of the coop. The girls are pretty traumatized, but my husband did what he could for the time being and so far everything is okay. I'm a nervous wreck every morning, though!

 

[carlf]

Aren't you in Florida? there are no civets in Florida, (or the USA).

Mink or weasel is the most likely culprit

 

[LeahAngel]

I am, but should have specified a civet cat. They're a type of skunk, and they get bigger than a weasel. My neighbor has seen a few of them around. We do have minks in FL, but not where I live

 

[LeahAngel]

 

[Chtirob]

Confused.........the rooster looks like he just dropped dead, except his feathers are everywhere? That sounds like he put up a good fight......didn't just drop dead.

There are patterns to predator behaviors. Yours is a multiple kill, which normally means either raccoons, weasels (or one of the many weasel cousins) or dogs. Raccoons normally eat the heads or some part of them, and it sounds like no dog could get in. That leaves weasels or one of the weasel cousins as the likely culprit.

Weasels are aggressive killers that normally go for the back of the head and neck. There may be missing heads or bite marks on the back of the head and neck......and sometimes not large bite marks.

If so, primary defense is to do the tighten up. No openings anywhere larger than 1/2". That is not easy, but consider this. Likely as not they had a lot of fun last time, so they will be back. Unless you can keep them out, it will keep happening until all you have are gone.

I’ve never seen a weasel around here (in the mountains of Western Md) but I’ve lost 3 hens in two days who had broken necks with small bite marks (in the necks). Two were locked in the coop at night. What is a weasels cousin?

 

[McChooky]

I’ve never seen a weasel around here (in the mountains of Western Md) but I’ve lost 3 hens in two days who had broken necks with small bite marks (in the necks). Two were locked in the coop at night. What is a weasels cousin?

Minks,ferrets,martins,badgers,fishers,wolverines and otters are all in the same class

 

[McChooky]

I’ve never seen a weasel around here (in the mountains of Western Md) but I’ve lost 3 hens in two days who had broken necks with small bite marks (in the necks). Two were locked in the coop at night. What is a weasels cousin?

You need 1/2" 16 gauge galvanized hw cloth on your coop to keep small and large predators out. It must be attached securely using strips of wood or screws and washers. An apron will keep them from digging underneath the sides and getting inside if your coop is sitting on the ground.It'll also keeps rats and snakes out.Sorry for your loss!