What happened to my chicks?! *WARNING*GRAPHIC*

[Saaniya]

First I am so sorry for your losses. That had to be horrible to come home to.

I offer a picture of my small 2 foot by 4 foot by2 foot tall brooder as an inspiration.
When not brooding it works as an isolation crate for injured or mean birds and has been used to transport birds I sold. The split lid means no one hops out when I need to reach in.
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Wow amazing looks very secure

 

[21hens-incharge]

Wow amazing looks very secure

It is. It was also very easy to make.

 

[Saaniya]

It is. It was also very easy to make.

Yeah I love those netting sideways and on top it can provide amazing ventilation

 

[Tonyroo]

House or feral cats can kill baby chicks easily also, they usually bite the heads off. Netting like that doesn't deter them.

 

[EKlinds]

Sorry for your loss. A weasel might be the culprit. I use 1/2 inch hardware cloth wire and plywood to secure chickens. Chicken wire and anything with 1 inch or larger openings is not safe for them. Raccoons can reach through with their hands and pull chickens through piece by piece. Cardboard and tarps are not enough to keep your chicks safe unfortunately.

I’m thinking weasel too ugh. We have two older pullets as well, about 12/13 weeks old so pretty decent in size already, would a weasel go after the older chickens as well? I’m paranoid now! They are in the same barn as the babies were but seems like the chicks were easier prey at the time so my other two weren’t bothered. They are locked up tight now! I just worry when they’re out in the yard now

 

[Salixx]

I’m thinking weasel too ugh. We have two older pullets as well, about 12/13 weeks old so pretty decent in size already, would a weasel go after the older chickens as well? I’m paranoid now! They are in the same barn as the babies were but seems like the chicks were easier prey at the time so my other two weren’t bothered. They are locked up tight now! I just worry when they’re out in the yard now

Weasels and other mustelids are amazing predators well known for killing prey much larger than themselves. My mom has a 1.5lb domesticated ferret that was found killing full grown chickens. Domestic ferrets (in the US) aren’t nearly as good as their wild weasel and, mink and ermine counterparts. Unfortunately, your pullets aren’t safe from them.

I just wanted to add that they generally aren’t diurnal critters. Your pullets will probably be fine if they are let out well after sunrise and put up well before sunset. Daytime is dangerous for smaller weasels too - their vulnerable to larger predators including hawks. If you have lots of debris around like log or brush pikes you might be asking for trouble.

 

[21hens-incharge]

My understanding is weasels can fit through any gap bigger than 1/2 inch....roughly the size of a quarter.

That means the other birds need their sleeping quarters checked for gaps.