Unknown Predator??

[Rte.66_chicks]

From what I've read about 'coons and chicken wire, you will be better off with hardware cloth-very securely attached.

 

[JimnJanet]

Rte.66_chicks :

From what I've read about 'coons and chicken wire, you will be better off with hardware cloth-very securely attached.

I'll strongly second this one...go with hardware cloth. 1/4 " . Chicken wire will eventualy rot anywho. Hardware cloth is galvanized and will last much much longer.​

 

[clawmute]

You said the heads were gone - makes me think. I lost several hens over a few nights span, and the heads were gone. I set a trap and that night caught a Great Horned Owl. It would come in walking! It stepped in the trap pan and that was that.

I was really surprised that it was an owl.

 

[greyfields]

Racoon. The other head biters don't climb anything like a racoon will. And yes, they will come back and back and back until there is nothing left to eat.

 

[greyfields]

Quote:
We have GHO's here and I have lost chickens and waterfowl to them (they also eat the heads, but also tend to pull the heart/lungs out through the opening). They are open field hunters, though and not small. I can't imagine one being able to hover then squeeze through some rafters.

 

[JimnJanet]

Quote:
I sincerely hope you took it to a wildlife rehabilitator !!!