The great Chicken Massacre of 2019

[Peppercorngal]

I think it was right around dusk because the chickens haven’t gone in to the coop yet, because there was no sign of chickens being attacked anywhere around the coop. I was at the store when it happened so I don’t really know what happened. The chickens that I found were scattered all over the yard. All of the ones I found had puncture marks around the base of there neck and in the breast area.

If it was day time it could have been coyotes or dogs, I think racoons during the day is less likely, though they will kill and decapitate for fun. It depends on where you are, in the country or urban, what predators are in your region, etc. You would be the one to know that. A simple 5 or 6 foot fence around a free range area is enough to keep most coyotes and dogs from getting your flock during the day. You may want to try that.

 

[sourland]

I'd be out there right about now with a shotgun as it/they will be back now that they know where the buffet is located.

 

[Folly's place]

I did have a fox take out ten hens one afternoon, years ago. Add foxes to your list here! Mostly canines, but whoever it is, they will return!!!
Keep your survivors in a safe coop and run, set live traps, a game camera would be nice too.
Electric fencing is your friend!
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

Our fox returned, but we couldn't get a safe shot at him. A neighbor did get him about a week later though.
Mary

 

[Howard E]

Mary:

Do you remember what time of year it was when you had the fox problem? Would it have been in the Spring when feeding the kits?

 

[Folly's place]

It was March 30th, still cold weather, and the fox was nearly bald from mange. The poor guy (male) needed to den up at night to be slightly warmer, and was hunting (and starving) during the day. Made it easy to ID him, and shooting him was best for him too.
My other worst predator experience during the day were my own dogs...
Mary

 

[roosterhavoc]

Fox young generally disperse by the end of September. Some females will stay with a vixen til the next year. They will sometimes hunt together. If birds are totally missing I’d say fox or coyotes regardless of some being left. Raccoons do not take chickens anywhere.

 

[Howard E]

Ok, I ask as the fox that got all my daughter's birds only took them one at a time. But that was in the late summer/fall. They vanished without a clue. The clue it was a fox was seeing it sniffing around the coop once all the birds were gone. Kept coming back for months.

Missing birds would certainly point to a fox.

 

[chickenpal147]

When my dad got home a little while ago, we walked the yard and found another body. So 4 out of the 8 we lost are accounted for, but where the last 4 are is the question.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Are there anyplace they may go up a tree they may still be alive but scared to go to the coop