Unknown predator

[Akgirlalways907]

Weve had 2 backyard chickens for 4 years. 3 weeks ago 1 was attacked we think by a cat, so we locked the 1 up for a week or so and took care of the cat. We got a new chicken and 3 days before Thanksgiving something got her early in the morning, she tried to escape but got tangled in the garden nets so we have kept the lone chicken in the coop since then (it has an attached run that is enclosed with wire mesh). This morning I realized I hadn't see her in a few days. When I went to check on her she had been attacked IN the coop, whatever it was ate her butt off and you can see where it dug under the run to get into the enclosure. Any suggestions, my daughters wants more chickens but I cant keep buying new ones if theres just going to die

 

[Butterscotchbitesfinger]

Well you could wire the bottom of your coop and double wire the sides. If you want to keep free ranging then that may be one of the consequences

 

[Akgirlalways907]

As much as I'd love to keep free ranging them, I'd rather just have live chickens. I already plan to wire the bottom now so nothing can dig under again

 

[blackdog043]

Put a wire apron around the coop and run, make it 18 inches out. If you want to keep rats or mice out, use 1/2 inch hardware cloth and pin it down with landscape pins.

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

Very doubtful it was a cat. Sounds like raccoon or possum.

 

[cmom]

Do you have a game camera you can put up? Most likely it will come back and you will know what you are dealing with.

 

[sourland]

Electric fencing is a great predator deterrent.

 

[cmom]

Electric fencing is a great predator deterrent.

I agree. Here is a coyote at my grow-out coop and pen. I have electric wire around all of my pens and coops.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/post-your-game-cam-pics-here.438535/page-275#post-20746400

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

It does not matter what did it, what matters is how you react. Fortify your defenses, dig a trench around the perimeter of your run and fill with concrete. Resources should be spent on pred proofing your set up.

Sorry you lost your chickens.

Gary

 

[cmom]

Maybe it doen't matter what did it, but for me I like to know what predators are lurking around. Most nights I get at least one predator on one of my cameras. I have my coops and pens well fortified with electric wire around all of the coops and pens, concrete under the gates and a heavy duty netting covering all of my pens.