What could be killing my chickens?

[LilaCombs]

We have found 1 or 2 chickens dead each night. First it started on the ones that wouldn't go in the barn but roosted outside. It would take off the head but leave the body. Sometimes we would find the head and sometimes we wouldn't. Then, we made them all move inside and something still went in and killed some. I can't even find a mark. We have set live traps, huge rat traps, and put out poison. I have checked for holes in the chicken house but it is an old barn we have fixed up so there seems to always be hole somewhere. Does anyone have any suggestions on what it is (we think maybe a weasel) and what else we can try. Loosing chickens becomes an expensive ordeal (and stressful). Thanks for any words of wisdom.

 

[jbowyer01]

Quote:
I think it sounds like a weasel.

 

[Mac in Wisco]

It sounds like an owl was getting them outside.

For the ones inside without a mark on them, are you sure that an animal is getting them? How hot is it in the barn? But, as you said, it may be a weasel.

 

[LilaCombs]

It is hot in the barn but not excessively so. I don't understand what would eat their heads off unless it is a weasel.

 

[Nivrocco]

I have had raccoons and opossums both do that...

 

[CapricornFarm]

Why not make a secure pen in the barn?

 

[phasian]

My guess is a raccoon or weasel. Raccoons will often suck the blood of hens with little damage to the carcass. They sometimes remove the heads.

Owls distribute a lot of feathers as they tend to land on their prey. They also eat more than the head....

 

[sourland]

Great horned owls will eat the heads as will raccoons. Owls will also enter a coop or barn after prey.

 

[real_redhead]

May be a skunk, I have been told they will behead a chicken and drink the blood.

 

[LilaCombs]

Well, so far we have killed a huge black snake that was eating the eggs and poison has killed a big possum. We will now just have to wait and see. At least we have not lost any chickens in several days now.