What Could It Be????

[Huntmaster]

Have you had any birds return?

 

[chickbrad24]

Here is the spot the bear has accessed the coop. Tore the plywood right off the frame. It looks like it came again last night. It has avoided all cameras. It's not going after the geese and the muscovies, just the chickens. I'm down to 8 chickens. My plan is to have my brother take the rest and watch them so I can fortify the coop and invest in an electric fence.
I have never had this problem before, never thought a bear would relentlessly hunt and eat chickens on a nightly basis.

 

[chickbrad24]

Have you had any birds return?

No chickens have returned at all. Any remaining chcikens are to scared to sleep in the coop and are now roosting closer to the house.

 

[chickbrad24]

Finally got the confirmation that it is 100% a bear!! He or she left finger prints on my husbands work van last night. Has anyone else experienced a bear like this night after night?

 

[Folly's place]

Bears are hungry right now, and will relentlessly hunt meals, getting ready for their winter's sleep.
Electric fencing with a very hot charger, set up properly for bears, and baited at first.
Premier1supplies has good products and information; don't fool around waiting, and have this bear try your house next...
Mary

 

[All4Eggz]

Just as @Folly's place said, I would recommend some kind of electrical wiring so this doesn't happen again.

 

[chickbrad24]

We checked our cameras. It's a mother bear and 3 cubs. So definitely not going to fool around. She came up on our deck. She's getting awfully close to our back door. Watched her cubs chase the chickens and the geese. She came at 5 or 6 times last night.

 

[Folly's place]

What does your DNR say?! ON the deck at your house? Not so good. No food outside, and electric fencing, today if possible. Include the house.
Mary

 

[McChooky]

I advise you to bait that fence so it doesn't flip that coop over again.Unless it touches the fence with its nose it won't feel a thing.Their fur is too thick.I saw an earlier post of a coop similar to yours that was flipped on its side and all the chickens were killed.If you've got any feed outside put it up.They like the feed better than the chickens.