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What did this?

Discussion in 'Predators and Pests' started by Moonkssd, Aug 12, 2011.

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  1. Aug 12, 2011 #1
    Moonkssd

    Moonkssd Out Of The Brooder

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    Feb 16, 2011
    Marietta, Pa
    I lost 9 chickens last night. Whatever did this knocked down an chicken wire wall I have found 4 piles of feathers not a bone skin foot nothing left 2 piles in close proximity to each other in a neighbors yard, 1 about 20 feet away from those then another pile 50 feet from that one. nothing left but feathers. I have found 1 chicken unhurt under a neighbors tree. My neighbor heard all of the commotion around 3 oclock in the morning. She said to her it looked like a large cat. Would a cat eat all of that?
    Im just sick
     
  3. Aug 12, 2011 #2
    southerndesert

    southerndesert B & M Chicken Ranch

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    Coon perhaps, maybe fox or coyote?, leaning to coyote by the way it made entry and ate whole birds. Sorry for the losses.....
     
    Last edited: Aug 12, 2011
  5. Aug 12, 2011 #3
    Nicole01

    Nicole01 Overrun With Chickens

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    I'm truly sorry for your loss.[​IMG] It could also be a raccoon. Unfortunatly, chicken wire is worthless and is very easy for predators to break through.
     
  7. Aug 13, 2011 #4
    spotstealer

    spotstealer Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Poynette, WI
    Quote:I too am sorry for your loss. Chicken wire only keeps chickens in. I use it on my run, but I secure my girls in their coop nightly.
     
  9. Aug 13, 2011 #5
    Moonkssd

    Moonkssd Out Of The Brooder

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    Feb 16, 2011
    Marietta, Pa
    Thanks everyone I am in the middle of turning the shed into a large coop. This will be done by tomorrow night. I have found some where to buy more Australorps from to replace the ones I lost. I understand they are only doing what comes naturally but I still feel violated. I hope they went to feed some baby foxes or something but the snack wagon is closed now!!!! And I have been taught a lesson
     
  11. Aug 13, 2011 #6
    Imp

    Imp All things share the same breath- Chief Seattle

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    The Emerald City
    My Coop
    I'm so sorry for your loss.

    Imp
     
  13. Aug 13, 2011 #7
    ThePigeonKid

    ThePigeonKid Chillin' With My Peeps

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    [​IMG]
     
  15. Aug 13, 2011 #8
    jfaith51

    jfaith51 Chillin' With My Peeps

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    May 5, 2010
    Leicester,North Carolina
    I am so very sorry. Before we got out Mastiff x Yellow Lab dog we had a Bob Cat that took quite a few birds. I know that Bob Cats are strong. They can climb over a 6' fence with a full grown hen in it's mouth. Whatever caused this, I hope you can eliminate it soon.
     
  17. Aug 13, 2011 #9
    BrokenRoadFarm

    BrokenRoadFarm Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Jun 10, 2011
    North Central NC
    [​IMG]
     
  19. Aug 13, 2011 #10
    woodmort

    woodmort Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Given that you're in PA and since the birds were gone--probably eaten and/or carried off--I'd guess a coyote, fox or bobcat. All are capable of going through a fence and are the type of predators that are in the business of killing for food. While coons will go through chicken wire like it isn't there they usually don't carry the whole prey off and dogs would just kill and leave most of it.
     
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