Something killed off most of our flock, Does someone know what it is ?

[Chirpy664]

Hey There !

Let me start off by saying that we have had many chickens over the last 2 years, and most have died of natural causes. Except some incident with the Neighbor dog...
BUT
anyway, about last week some time, we went on vacation to Wisconsin to visit my Grandma and Grandpa for a couple days.
While we were gone, we had found out that something had killed off 3 of our chickens. Very good trustworthy egg layers too. (We don't slaughter our chickens for meat.)

We thought it was just plain weird, but we sort of shrugged it off. Thinking it was our fault because we had learned we accidentally left the coops fenced in areas' door open.

But, just last night, our GORGEOUS Rhode Island Red rooster got killed by something. He was a great rooster, and very social too. He loved to follow us around and wait for us in the garage in the morning, so he sort of became a pet toward us.
But yeah, he's the one that got killed off. He was a big huge bird, probably around 14 or 15 pounds. And the main "Protector" of the whole flock.
Well, just last night this happened, Heres what the facts are:

-Our coop is all fenced in (Minus a wire enclosure over the top), and there are hardly any holes for any animal to get through.
-Our chickens never stay outside at night, and are normally always indoors roosting.
-Our Ducks sleep outside, yet never got attacked/harmed.
-One out of our 3 chickens left, who is now an "Ex" Egg layer, got attacked. we noticed markings and feathers missing on her BACK. (She's still alive. ^^ Thankfully)
-There are some signs of struggle or a fight, like feathers all over and matted down grass (Yet none of the 4 carcasses found)


We have thought it was an Owl, but i have read other posts out there saying maybe a Coyote, or a racoon... Yet i don't see how a raccoon would handle a 15lb bird...

Anyway, any feedback here would be nice. Thank you for helping !
And our 3 chickens left will also appreciate it ! ^^
**Luckily we have 12 babies around 2 months old that are still in our SAFE Shed ! ^^

THANKS !

*** Just to let you know, the attacks happen at NIGHT

UPDATE :

A couple days after we got home, I saw what looked like a larger brown bird off in the distance underneath a shrub. We didn't take notice too it, just thought it looked cool. Could this have killed it ?

 

[lone cedar farm]

Racoons can handle any size rooster or hen easily, specily at night. also great horned owls will enter a coop if it can fly down inside the pen then walk thru the opening, kill a chicken an be gone with it. They will take just one but usualy return the next night or later on when hunting gets tough.

 

[BigPeep]

Sounds like a racoon. They will take the bird with them. They can climb anything so if your pen is not enclosed on the top that would be absolutely no problem for them to get in. I would suggest enclosing the top or installing electric tape around the top just on the inside so they will hit it when they try to enter. If your chickens are inside a coop to boot, be sure it is locked up with good latches. They can open simple hook latches. (Actually, I think they can be trained to fly the space shuttle as well).

I have a goose inside with my chickens and have had no problem even though I have racoons visiting just about every night for stuff in my garden and the goldfish in my pond. We even had one come down the fireplace like Santa! My chicken pen is completely enclosed to boot including the top with heavy duty fence wire.

 

[buckeye lady]

Racoon. It'll be back. You will either have to shoot it or trap in a Havahart and relocate it. Our run is enclosed with electrified Poultry fence from Premier. I love this fence. It's expensive but worth every penny. Sorry for your loss.

 

[spook]

I agree, sounds like a coon. Those crafty buggers will haul a full sized chicken through a 1 inch hole if they want. They are mean buggers, can take a full sized turkey, and not just one if there are more then 1! They all want turkey!
The only way to protect your flock is to close windows that are covered with wire and cannot be pried open and close and lock all holes (doors). Crafty mean buggers...think I already said that.
If you have air preditors around, you may want to rethink you open topped run. If you plan on leaving the run and coop open- even if your home, I'd suggest placing a electric fence line around the bottom or even top wire.
Good luck and I'm very sorry you have lost your girls. That stinks.

 

[chicken+quail=luv]

Raccoon. Does your coop have a top? You may need to add that, because raccoons can climb anything.

 

[Over Easy in Adna]

If you do relocate it, make sure it is on your property. You don't want to be an indirect cause of someone else losing thier flock.

 

[danielbrown]

Also
Coons are smart and learn to avoid traps once caught in them.
This causes twice the trouble to the person that you dump your problem on. If you trap it, kill it.

 

[chickencoop31320]

Quote:
yep! LOL

 

[RHewitt]

I say Racoon as well. My father lost 4 hens since Sunday before catching a large male coon. It appears the coon wanted some sardines with his chicken and got caught. That coon died of lead poisioning from a 22 rifle shortly after he was discovered in the trap.

It must be the time of year when predators are in full force. I too just lost 7of my flock to a fox that seemed to kill them just for the fun of it. No free ranging around here until it too dieds of lead poisioning.