Terror at night

[cmom]

Not knowing where you live, if you have a game camera or access to one, put it up and then you will know what the predator is and can make a plan. It could be about anything, coon, fox, coyote, bobcat among other predators. Good luck...

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

I dont know how many chickens u have left, but is it possible to bring the survivors inside your house or garage at night, until u have better idea re what predator u r dealing with & how to protect the survivors? Since the predators have learned they can succeed in killing, they wont be easily deterred. Also, i dont consider a shovel to be a heavy object; most predators including raccoons, fox, opposums, bobcat, etc etc could easily knock away MUch heavier obstacles than a shovel. Yes, if u can put a camera up, the predator will likely show up on camera the very first night.

 

[NatJ]

I’m not sure how they’re accessing into my coop. I make sure to close and securely latch the door. I also put like a shovel or a heavy object to prevent the door from opening. Last night however I don’t know how but one of my Wyandotte’s was running around being chased and I’m still clueless on how it got out.

If a chicken could get out, then some kinds of predators could get in too.

When the Wyandotte was out, was the door still closed?

If the door was closed, then there must be another way out or in, so you probably need to take a good look at the rest of the coop & run.

There may be some place where a board or a piece of wire mesh has come loose, so it can be pulled open by a predator but then spring back into place so you don't see it. Or a spot where a roof does not fit tightly enough, or a small gap underneath some part of the coop or fence. (All of those are just guesses that might not apply to your particular coop, but I hope they can help you find what the problem really is.)

 

[Jmwah_12]

I dont know how many chickens u have left, but is it possible to bring the survivors inside your house or garage at night, until u have better idea re what predator u r dealing with & how to protect the survivors? Since the predators have learned they can succeed in killing, they wont be easily deterred. Also, i dont consider a shovel to be a heavy object; most predators including raccoons, fox, opposums, bobcat, etc etc could easily knock away MUch heavier obstacles than a shovel. Yes, if u can put a camera up, the predator will likely show up on camera the very first night.

I have around like 20 chickens of various ages and breeds so it would be harder to house them inside, but Ive been trying to fix up their coops and make sure everything is stable at night. I’m hoping to get a motion detector camera/light so it’ll deter them from my coops. It’s been more persistent so I’m trying to keep my chickens safe.

 

[Jmwah_12]

If a chicken could get out, then some kinds of predators could get in too.

When the Wyandotte was out, was the door still closed?

If the door was closed, then there must be another way out or in, so you probably need to take a good look at the rest of the coop & run.

There may be some place where a board or a piece of wire mesh has come loose, so it can be pulled open by a predator but then spring back into place so you don't see it. Or a spot where a roof does not fit tightly enough, or a small gap underneath some part of the coop or fence. (All of those are just guesses that might not apply to your particular coop, but I hope they can help you find what the problem really is.)

Sorry for the late response as well, but I believe they were able to push the wire away and slide underneath the door, because my door opens upward, I think they were able to pull the wire down then slip between the door and the wire. I tried tightening the wire but they tried to get in again tonight, so I’m considering rebuilding my coop entirely, but for now until then I might double down the chicken wire and try to secure the door with maybe a few chairs or something heavy again to keep it from being pryed open

 

[Jmwah_12]

Another Update: 2 Attempts in 1 night, My younger chickens were attacked and attempted break in, a little while later my Orpington coop had a break in and one of my roosters was injured. He had bites and blood all over his face and neck, I cleaned him up and applied some medicine so hopefully he makes it throughout the night.

 

[LaFleche]

I am sorry this happened to you chickens.

Obviously your coops are not a secure shelter to be in and should be reinforced accordingly ASAP.

Set up some game cameras so you will know what you are dealing with.