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

[All4Eggz]

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.

Thanks.

I was planning on putting the dead chicks in the cage along with some fresh meat and maybe canned cat food.

 

[All4Eggz]

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

The predator actually came in through the hole, went through the chicken run and made its way into the actual coop where the chickens sleep. The broody likes to sleep in the nest box because her and the chicks would get bullied if they tried to go up high like the rest of the chickens.

 

[Kiki]

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

I just learned the hard way myself.
After years of keeping quail in the same cages...I found out the hard way what happens when a rat shows up hungry.

I actually had almost the entire cage wrapped in half inch hardware cloth but there were a few spots that I did not wrap where the holes were an inch big.
One inch hole equals death by rat.

I covered those small holes that I had not covered to begin with...zero new deaths.


I knew years ago that I should not leave any holes on my cages. I also knew for sure I did not have rats.
I didn't have them until I had them.

 

[Folly's place]

Me too! A couple of years ago, we had a rat visitation, and we lost three nice bantam pullets. They came through a crack in the concrete foundation, bless them.
Mary

 

[All4Eggz]

I just learned the hard way myself.
After years of keeping quail in the same cages...I found out the hard way what happens when a rat shows up hungry.

I actually had almost the entire cage wrapped in half inch hardware cloth but there were a few spots that I did not wrap where the holes were an inch big.
One inch hole equals death by rat.

I covered those small holes that I had not covered to begin with...zero new deaths.


I knew years ago that I should not leave any holes on my cages. I also knew for sure I did not have rats.
I didn't have them until I had them.

Me too! A couple of years ago, we had a rat visitation, and we lost three nice bantam pullets. They came through a crack in the concrete foundation, bless them.
Mary

Sorry to hear that.. ):

 

[All4Eggz]

UPDATE:

Last night, we caught... the wrong thing!

So we set up a trail cam next to the trap (but we have yet to look over the footage) and we left one of our gates open, kind of to lure in the culprit. We did shut the actual chicken coop though, but the culprit(s) had access to the run.

Next to the coop door (which was closed), we set up the cage (last night) with fresh chicken thighs and some canned cat food. This morning we come and see a racoon! It was huge, and it started hissing and jumping around the cage right away.

I am positive that it was not the one that was eating the chicks because it would definetely not fit through the holes. But when we left the gate open last night, that's how it got in.

We were expecting a weasel or something small - and we get a giant, fat (probably pregnant) racoon!
First thing tomorrow morning we are driving it out of town.


We will set up the trap again tomorrow night.

 

[All4Eggz]

Thanks again for all the responses!

 

[aart]

I am positive that it was not the one that was eating the chicks because it would definetely not fit through the holes.

Exactly!
Just because you trapped it doesn't mean it's waht attacked your flock.

First thing tomorrow morning we are driving it out of town.

Do not release it somewhere else, kill it and bury it.
It's not only a bad thing to do for several reasons....it's likely illegal

 

[Folly's place]

Yes, shoot it! It's may be illegal to relocate it, for good reasons. Now you have a trap wise raccoon who's interested in chickens, not good for anyone else out there!
Just be ready to shoot any critters that you trap (except house cats) or don't live trap at all.
Check with your DNR about raccoon relocation before doing any such thing.
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

I did just look up Mass. regs, and it's illegal to transport any wildlife, except on your own land, or with permits as wildlife rehabers.
Mary