This means war!

[dacasodivine]

I lost two chicks due to not getting them in before dark. Both times was within a few minutes of it being dark. The chicks are now locked up before dark.

Yesterday, at around 6:00 pm (still daylight) , I found one of my chicks dead with only her head gone. She was 5 weeks old. I started with 3 SL Wyandottes and now have 1.

I have out glue traps and a rat trap but decided this wasn't enough. I went straight to the store and bought rat poison. I shoved bars in the holes it was using to come into the chicken run and to go under the shed next to it. I think it actually lives under the shed. Anyway, I then covered in the holes.

I really did not want to use poison but have lost 3 chicks to it/them now. I have lost a polish and 2 SLW. I will be checking the yard daily for any dead rats or mice and will continue to cover up the holes.

I am ready to be done and over this. I am still wanting to get more hens and chicks but not until I get this taken care of.

Thanks for letting me vent.

 

[zatsdeb]

we had the same thing happen, and found out it was a skunk! I caught it in the act! My husband just shot it, in the chicken house! Got it before it sprayed. My neighbor told me that skunks can't see real good until you get close to it.. I also heard that mink and weasels will take the heads and drink the blood. Racoons will take the whole chicken.
Have you tried a live trap?

 

[dacasodivine]

I have not tried a live trap. I actually saw the rat with the second chick. That's when I started putting out the glue traps and the rat trap. Also, this last chick was too big to pull under the coop but the body was right up to one of the holes it uses to come into the yard.

 

[MRNpoultry]

Make sure you put the traps and poison where the chickens can't get them. Sorry about the ones you lost. Hope you get rid of the rats.