Squirrels as predators

[tn_artist]

I'm on a couple of fb chicken pages and yesterday someone posted about a squirrel attacking and killing her chickens. Apparently she caught the squirrel in the act.
We have a family of squirrels in our yard. We have watched the young ones chasing each other, they drink from the puddle from the AC and share some scratch feed with the birds.
I have never heard of squirrels being predatory. I thought they were herbivores.
One person asked if the squirrel could have been rabid.
Has anyone here had trouble with squirrels other than helping themselves to feed?

 

[chickenlittle21]

No I have not. The squirrel probably had rabies.

 

[Peppercorngal]

Squirrels are primarily herbivores, however they will eat birds and insects (and chickens??) if they are very hungry. It does sound like rabies to me too, although it could be possible that these squirrels are starving for some reason or another. Most chickens would be able to, and certainly would gang up on a squirrel and hurt it back. We have lots of grey squirrels and they do not bother our chickens at all. Never have in the years that I've had chickens.

 

[tn_artist]

Thanks y'all. I haven't had issues with squirrels, ever, so I will go back to blaming a cat for my missing babies.

 

[Al Gerhart]

Squirrels will steal eggs and kill chicks when they are nursing babies and need the extra protein. They will bring in mites and lice and the usual list of rodent diseases. Best to deal with them before they become a problem.

If you are missing babies look for rats too. Rats love chicks.

 

[neo71665]

X2 on rats. While squirrels are a possibility I've seen rats cause more problems.

 

[Yucca quail]

I am having an issue with squirrels. They have been stealing my eggs and today they killed and ate part of my quail. Literally ate its head. I have exterior cameras so I’m 100% sure

 

[Al Gerhart]

This time of year with babies in the next momma squirrels need protein and they will eat about anything they can catch.

 

[Birdielee]

I have seen a squirrel eat roadkill once.

 

[Yucca quail]

This time of year with babies in the next momma squirrels need protein and they will eat about anything they can catch.

It was a very young squirrel that did it. I don’t know how old but significantly smaller than the adult. I am totally going to get that squirrel now