What Could This Predator Be?

[Soon2BChixMom]

Here is a good reference when trying to figure out predators.
http://www.fresheggsdaily.com/2012/01/weasels-and-foxes-and-hawksoh-my.html
As well, minks and weasels would have a musty smell that would linger (like a skunk). From what it sounds like, neither one of those are the predator.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Here is a good reference when trying to figure out predators.
http://www.fresheggsdaily.com/2012/01/weasels-and-foxes-and-hawksoh-my.html
As well, minks and weasels would have a musty smell that would linger (like a skunk). From what it sounds like, neither one of those are the predator.

After seeing her say that she knows it's controversial but WORMS her birds with DE, I have quit referring to that site. There is science available showing that doesn't work, NOT controversy!

But that is a nice little chart. It does say that even a skunk might not leave behind any detectable scent inside the coop. So I imagine that could be true for other musky animals.

To be clear... yes, weasel type animal was my first suspect. But after LG mentioned fox and coyote and seeing the actual damage, I have to agree with those being possibilities. And note that my 3 dogs are dead silent when hunting. The neighbors small dog made it onto my property where my dogs chased back through heavy brush where it came from. I heard the neighbor throwing stuff and yelling and he said my dogs killed his. I ABSOLUTELY did NOT believe him. I was out there in the garden not 25 feet away and didn't here a sound. I thought surely I would have heard SOMETHING. So I was in denial for a very long time (but still apologized what a terrible loss even though they said she was getting old and hurting a lot). I did learn about a break in the fence. I detained my dogs with other fencing while getting to that one and several of their dogs made appearances onto my property before they moved. Well in the time since then, I have watched my dogs hunting gophers and other things on my property. When they get a cat, it's always the cat I hear and not my dogs. So yes a hunting pack can be vary discreet.

Sounds like a fox or pair of foxes. Either way, I hope the flock is secure now and that you found out before losing any of your birds. If you trap be prepared to dispatch.

Hope your girls are well!

 

[HannahL]

Thank you everyone so much for all of your replies! After the snow melted we were able to see many feathers strewn about their run...Very sad. Their owner also found the head of one of the ducks in their neighbor's yard. We have been keeping our girls locked up tight for now and whenever we do let them out we keep an extremely close eye on them. We are thinking about maybe setting a Have A Heart Trap to try and move the animal away from our neighborhood or possibly trying to find any footprints.

 

[Alex#242]

If you do set a have a heart trap make sure whatever you trap you release it far far away from your home. At minimum a few miles away or they will come right back.Goodluck

 

[Welshies]

If you do set a have a heart trap make sure whatever you trap you release it far far away from your home. At minimum a few miles away or they will come right back.Goodluck

They will come back if only a few miles away.
Try a few hundred.

 

[FluffehChick]

Hello and welcome to BYC! probably a raccoon or a mink, or something like that. Secure the coop (no gaps or holes) and if you have a small coop that you can pick up a little, you can pprop it up with bricks. (because sometimes they make a burrow and come up from underground)

 

[HannahL]

Hi again everyone! Thanks again for all of your replies! I have a little bit of an update on the predator situation. It recently snowed again in my area and when I went out to take care of the girls in the morning I discovered many animal tracks around the coop. After inspecting them I had absolutely no idea what kind of animal it could be but it looked to me like there were multiple sets sets of tracks. So I took a couple of photos and was hoping that one of you might have an idea of what it could be. Keep in mind that the gate to the fence around my chickens run is shut at night so whatever it was would have to be able to clear that. I’ve been keeping my girls locked up tight ever since the incident. I’ve let them out maybe once or twice for a couple of hours since they get quite antsy but I’ve kept all the windows open so that I could hear if anything happened. And nothing ever did. So finding these tracks so close to the coop kind of spooked me a little bit. If anyone has an idea what this could be it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Welshies]

That would be snow falling into the fresh snow, not tracks. Easy mistake!

 

[HannahL]

Oh haha! Gosh I feel so stupid now Thanks for letting me know as lord knows I would be obsessing over what they were for ages. Well than I suppose I can hope that the predator as moved on. Thank you!

 

[Welshies]

Oh haha! Gosh I feel so stupid now Thanks for letting me know as lord knows I would be obsessing over what they were for ages. Well than I suppose I can hope that the predator as moved on. Thank you!

Don't assume it's moved on! Predators have wide territories (wolves can have up to 500 square miles of territory, foxes and coyotes average from 1 to 50), and rotate where they hunt. Keep an eye out!
And no stupid here, just learning