went out this am to find all of my black copper maran chicks dead. they were about 3-4 months old and in a grow out pen inside the chicken run. i have another grow out pen in the run too with younger chicks that was not touched. their heads were gone and one of them (possibly more, i did not inspect too well.) had its chest ripped open. my first thought was a raccoon but the fence is 4 ft tall and totally intact. i suppose it could have easily climbed it, but i would think that i would have seen sections of the chicken wire either ripped or at least sagging a bit where it would have climbed... I am leaning towards my barn cat as the culprit. i know he can jump the fence without touching it as i have seen him. he has never acted interested in the chicks or chickens though. ugh, ideas? we are in eastern washington, if that makes a difference.
brianna
brianna