Something killed my chickens :(

[Magic Birdie]

I had two silkie chickens living in a coop that looked like this: A fenced run and an inside that was a rectangular prism of wood, but the roof had a hinge that allowed it to open. The coop stood an inch or so above the ground. I didn't put on the floor to let my chickens forage more and to not have to clean chicken poop all the time (and let it become fertilizer).

This morning, I found a bunch of feathers scattered in and around my coop, along with some blood. On closer inspection, I found a head inside the coop, with no feathers attached to it. A trail of feathers led to the fence in my backyard that had a stream behind it.

I decided that whatever killed it must have lifted the top of the coop and dragged the chickens outside, escaping from underneath the fence.

Does anyone here have another idea, or what it could have been? Thanks

 

[Judy]

A raccoon could certainly have done that, but is probably not the only animal that could.

 

[Magic Birdie]

Ah, thank you. Do you have any tips for preventing these things in the future, if I get more chickens?

I doubt making the roof unmovable would be an option...

 

[Judy]

A hasp and padlock should work. Raccoons can open most latches. If there is any "give" in the roof, though, they would probably lift a corner and slip under.

 

[gander007]

I had two silkie chickens living in a coop that looked like this: A fenced run and an inside that was a rectangular prism of wood, but the roof had a hinge that allowed it to open. The coop stood an inch or so above the ground. I didn't put on the floor to let my chickens forage more and to not have to clean chicken poop all the time (and let it become fertilizer).

This morning, I found a bunch of feathers scattered in and around my coop, along with some blood. On closer inspection, I found a head inside the coop, with no feathers attached to it. A trail of feathers led to the fence in my backyard that had a stream behind it.

I decided that whatever killed it must have lifted the top of the coop and dragged the chickens outside, escaping from underneath the fence.

Does anyone here have another idea, or what it could have been? Thanks

That really sounds like a Raccoon to me, this happens all to often and the hatcheries would go out of business if not ...

So sorry about your loss and have had the same problem but with Bob-Cats and Fox ...

You need to build a stronger and more secure coop for the evening security ....

 

[Magic Birdie]

Thanks, both of you

Does it really happen very often? I'm going to be paranoid because of this thread

 

[gander007]

Thanks, both of you

Does it really happen very often? I'm going to be paranoid because of this thread

No reason to be paranoid just need to make your coop tight and safe
the best way is to go around your coop and check for any I inch or
more openings and seal them up ....





This is what my front porch looks like due to Bob-Cats and
after a couple of security practices put in place it is safe for
them in the coop again but they refuse to go ...





This is Mr. Bob-Cat he just loves chickens

 

[Magic Birdie]

No reason to be paranoid just need to make your coop tight and safe the best way is to go around your coop and check for any I inch or more openings and seal them up .... This is what my front porch looks like due to Bob-Cats and after a couple of security practices put in place it is safe for them in the coop again but they refuse to go ... This is Mr. Bob-Cat he just loves chickens

Thank you! Your chickens are pretty As far as blocking the openings, how would one go about doing that? I doubt stuffing miscellaneous objects in there would do it My main concern for the coop is that the parts on top open... That's probably how it got in. Like Judy said, I could try putting a lock+latch on it, but the top of the run opens too... And what of the bottom? There's a little space between the bottom of the coop and the ground. Should I be worried about that as well?

 

[ChickenPox]

Do you have pics of your set up? I have a few weak spots in mine as well, and plan on reinforcing them as soon as I figure out what to do there. My coop/pen isn't pretty, but I feel like it's pretty secure. We have nailed boards over gaps. Horse wire fencing, even sheets of tin.

 

[gander007]

Quote:
Sounds like you might want to patch up the hole's with some wire and if possible
attach wire to wire with bailing wire if you can even find that stuff anymore ...

But building any kind of structure means material and I like to reuse