Something stole 11 of our chicks. Any ideas of what it could be?

[sourland]

A mink or weasel could readily enter through a hole that size. Good luck in identifying/catching the predator.

 

[Frankiegirl]

Sorry for your loss. It is never easy to lose part of a flock.

Good luck securing your coup and run. I used a trail cam until I was able to get a camera. If your coop is close enough for a signal, I see many people fit their coops with ring video monitoring.

 

[MysteryChicken]

The only opening I see that could be the issue is about 1.5''-2''


I narrowed it down after some research, and decided it was some sort of weasel/mink.
We borrowed a trap and we will set it up tonight with canned cat food and fresh chicken thighs.
We also borrowed a trail cam so we can really see what it is if we don't end up trapping it.

Does that sound okay?

Okay small, so a weasel makes sense.

Yeah, that sounds fine.

 

[SiDaStuff]

A cat or maybe a fox?
I had two chickens killed by a fox with a one-inch hole?

 

[SiDaStuff]

Also, you can take one (or more) of the dead chicks and set them out with a camera(any type), and see if the culprit comes back.

 

[Kiki]

We've never spotted any weasels or rats near the coop ever.


Thanks everyone for your advice

Just because you have never seen them does not mean they are not there.

 

[Kiki]

The only opening I see that could be the issue is about 1.5''-2''


I narrowed it down after some research, and decided it was some sort of weasel/mink.
We borrowed a trap and we will set it up tonight with canned cat food and fresh chicken thighs.
We also borrowed a trail cam so we can really see what it is if we don't end up trapping it.

Does that sound okay?

I highly recommend covering everything with 1/2-in hardware cloth.
Any openings larger than that and those killers will be back...no doubt.

 

[SiDaStuff]

Just because you have never seen them does not mean they are not there.

Yes!!

 

[SiDaStuff]

Okay small, so a weasel makes sense.

Yeah, that sounds fine.

Yes but foxes can stick their noses in holes.
I have had that happen before.

 

[All4Eggz]

Just because you have never seen them does not mean they are not there.

Yup. I know. It's most likely a weasel because our cousins who own chickens in the same area as us have spotted some weasels