What animal would would eat so much at one time?

[centrarchid]

A dog could be culprit if tracks appear to large to be a coyote. Most dogs just kill chickens and let them lay but some with pups, could be male or female, will kill many birds and them take them away like coyotes do. Some feral dogs are competent parents.

 

[LaBaze]

Coyotes don't get very big about 30 to 40 pounds. It was probably a pack of domestic dogs gone wild. Sorry for your loss.

 

[cgtara3]

That was my understanding also from looking online. It left me confused. Unless there was a large pack.

 

[aprophet]

If you are in Michigan there are wolves in a coupla states not too far from you that have seasons to hunt / trap them, you might try checking with local trappers or ranchers to see if they have been reported in your area the UP is where I would think they would be if there are any

 

[fishman65]

put out a game cam. it will tell you what you are up against. And dogs will kill and eat chickens. I lost 6 in one DAY to a dog.

 

[cgtara3]

I now believe a dog could eat that much. I realize there are people who have no common sense, and in fact have a mean streak. Don't feed their dog and let'm loose. I even thought of wolf hybrid dogs. In the lower peninsula we don't have wolves that I am aware of..unless I'm mistaken. We are going to put the cam out once again. In the past, we had it out, and the only picture we got was of a squirrel flying in the air. It was pretty funny to see.

 

[ShortCircuitRanch2332]

Quote:
cuz there were plenty of tracks and i matched them to yote prints, perfect match

 

[Patchesnposies]

Coyotes are opportunistic, meaning they will grab a chicken (cat, small dog, etc...) if it is out in the open and easily gotten to. Where I live in the desert SW we have coyotes that will come and sit outside of our fence and howl (in frustration, I imagine) but won't jump the fence to get at the coop. Now, it is a perimeter fence with a coop fence they would also have to get through as well, so they don't even try. They either too lazy or too fearful or the rabbits are too abundant to make it worth their while to be proactive at getting to our birds. So, they wait for an opportune moment.

Before we had both fences they were taking birds almost every night, especially in the Spring and Fall. I think you may find it was a dog or even a pack of them that got your birds. Post if you do discover who did it.

 

[cgtara3]

Will do!

 

[WillieBoy]

I agree with the webcam idea, then you know for sure what your dealing with. You are wise to look over your shoulder until you know who's eating your chickens. Coyotes will and have attacked people. Mostly children, but a young Canadian woman, a popular singer was attacked and killed by coyotes while walking in a park.
Not trying to scare you, just be careful, and get a webcam up and running ASAP....! Good luck...