while I was on vacation my chicken sitter found one dead hen a day until all four were gone. She said she looked around for entry, but she didn't do a very good job. I found it right away when I got home. The chicken wire was cut or I guess chewed through right at the base, at ground level. (it is buried underneath), no sign of digging. I am repairing the hole and that whole side of the run with hardware cloth and will put concrete cap blocks on top of the wire apron as I cannot dig the ground, it is too hard. I am curious…what animal can chew through chicken wire but then won't eat the chickens? my sitter and my husband said they were de-feathered on their front body and there were puncture wounds. Perhaps it drank the blood? I know there are skunk and fox and raccoon here. a fox or a raccoon would eat the birds, correct? Could a skunk chew through the wire? and what other precautions can I take to keep the critter(s) out? I am getting new girls tomorrow, the last attack was Friday. thank you. Signed, heartbroken.
