What attacked my coop??

[Bertie81]

One of my roosters crows a lot along with them free ranging up until the attack I think is why my flock was attacked. When we're home its not an issue with ground predators because I have two big dogs that will run off/down any threats and they let us know something is wrong out side even when they're inside with us.

I hear ya on the noisey rooster, between Rex Rooster (RIP) and our 2 ducks (now one) any predator within a 10 mile radius could hear them!

 

[pepperpellets]

Does anyone know if weasels work as a group or as individuals? Can they open latches? We have lost over 110 quail in 10 days. They/it evade our traps, preferring to attack the next group of live birds. We've added reinforcements to all the cages, but last night something opened the cage door sliding latch, I believe.


In one attack, quail had throats ripped out and heads ripped off and wings ripped off, still inside the cage and 2/3 of the birds were alive and untouched (raccoons?) Another attack all the birds in the cage were dead, all doors latched and closed, one slim gap at the roof, some birds had backs of necks and vents ripped out, only 2 were decapitated, no wings missing, (weasels?). The most recent attack the cage door was open (I DON'T think any one of us left it un latched!!). Several birds were decapitated. Some birds were alive with necks broken or the sides or backs of necks mauled. A few birds were dead on the ground around the cage. When I ran inside tell my husband and came back out, it seemed as though there were a group of four dead birds missing from the ground outside the cage. Eleven birds are unaccounted for, no trace found (raccoons and weasels together? ). Two birds were recaptured alive and unharmed in the yard.

 

[yochickiemomma]

I'm sorry for your loss Pepper. Different species usually don't work together. At least from personal experience. That doesn't mean that one started the damage and the other saw an opportunity and took it.

I found my predator last night on my way home from work. Its a red fox. As bad as this may sound to some I tried my darndest to run him/ her over ( I know there's at least two in my area). I just missed though. I have to choose between my chickens and then and my chickens are my choice. I'm going to set traps this weekend. They have also hit my mom n dads coop about a half mile from me. They've killed 6 and hurt 1 in under two weeks.

Sorry I'm rambling I'm just excited I know what I'm up against now.

 

[yochickiemomma]

Pepper, do you have any game cameras you can set up? Or motion lights.

I think I'm going to invest in a solar powered hot wire. I figure my dogs will learn quick enough not to touch it.

 

[Bryant Redhawk]

Pepper that sounds more like a Raccoon attack than a weasel attack, especially the open door mention. I have not seen weasels work in groups, but that doesn't mean that if a mother has kits ready to learn to fend for themselves that she wouldn't bring them along for a lesson. Raccoons can open most doors that do not have a padlock fastened. I have even had a situation where a coon opened a door held fast with a carabiner. I've seen them work just about every type of latch and so now I trust master lock padlocks, just let that rascal find the key. Coons will reach through any opening they can get a paw through and what ever is on the other side is in jeopardy.