we lost 25 today/ last night

[Harley Demag]

we lost or 25 girls last night...something had chewed its way in. It was a very very small hole any ideas what it could have been? ate some slaughtered most. Very sad

 

[sumi]

I'm so sorry for your loss

Unfortunately predators are a constant headache for chicken owners. Have a look around the Predators and Pests section for tips on how to secure your coop and also which predators you should look for and what to do about them.

 

[ManuelsChickens]

Were they pullets,chicks,hens?

 

[ManuelsChickens]

Also sorry for your loss

. I lost a Silver Phoenix Hen 2 days ago. R.I.P.

 

[cafarmgirl]

Could be a lot of things. Fox and raccoon both can get through a small opening but so can a lot of other things, depends what's in your area I guess. Might look into using welded wire, hardware cloth, with a buried skirt around the coop/run. Hot wire along the base works nicely too.

 

[California_chickie]

Sorry for your loss.
I agree with the previous post, hot wire is the way to go. It's initially a pain, but will deter those mean predators!

 

[CAjerseychick]

Could be a lot of things. Fox and raccoon both can get through a small opening but so can a lot of other things, depends what's in your area I guess. Might look into using welded wire, hardware cloth, with a buried skirt around the coop/run. Hot wire along the base works nicely too.

We saw a stuffed weasel the other day at a museum-- it was the size of an elongated HAMSTER-- so tiny-- now I see how they can get in thru 1inch holes (and I have a 1 inch ventilation gap along the top of my Purina (design) coop we built). I hear weasels are vicious- they kill for fun not just food as well.

 

[yo burrill]

Yep weasels will kill a coop full of chicks in one night. Usually ripping open the neck. They eat a little then go on their way. Hardware cloth over any holes no matter how small is a must if you have weasels. I have a chipmunk that comes in a eats from my chick feeder right now. It is cute. I really should start closing them in at night before I have a weasel find my chick tractor though...

 

[Harley Demag]

it was racoons, judging by the scat that they left behind... How they got in I HAVE NO IDEA.... i guess i'll have to get more and start over now... just comb over every inch until i find the weak spot...poor girls

 

[Going Quackers]

Ugh, i'm sorry.. those coons are such pests.. they have destroyed our wooden garbage box.. we're rural and keep one on the driveway, they found a week spot and just ripped it apart.. jerks!

Did they get into your coop or was this a run?