What is killing our chickens???

[Hep44]

We have had an unfortunate string of attacks on our flock. They happen during the day while they free range. We have found every bird after the attack, usually not eaten. Some of the attacks have been in the woods next to our house, some have been in the yard where it is open. There was one the other day that had 6 puncture wounds on one side and 2 on the other (we figure its likely from a raptor of some sort.) We have coyotes, foxes, opossums, raccoons, weasels, minks, cats, and a few birds of prey in the area. What is the most likely culprit? Or is it a combination of all/some of them? How do we deter these predators?

 

[Hei 20]

We have had an unfortunate string of attacks on our flock. They happen during the day while they free range. We have found every bird after the attack, usually not eaten. Some of the attacks have been in the woods next to our house, some have been in the yard where it is open. There was one the other day that had 6 puncture wounds on one side and 2 on the other (we figure its likely from a raptor of some sort.) We have coyotes, foxes, opossums, raccoons, weasels, minks, cats, and a few birds of prey in the area. What is the most likely culprit? Or is it a combination of all/some of them? How do we deter these predators?

 

[aart]

What is the most likely culprit? Or is it a combination of all/some of them? How do we deter these predators?

Could have been any of them.
Keep your birds in a secure run.

 

[Madhouse Pullet]

I'm sorry for your losses

 

[cmom]

So sorry for your loss. It could have been most any predator. That is the risk you take when you free range. That is why I don't free range anymore due to losses. My birds all have nice large covered pens. People like to see them run free but so don't the predators. Maybe this website will help. It will with ground predators but not aerial predators. Also game cameras are nice and then you can usually find out what's been lurking. Good luck...
http://www.plamondon.com/wp/faq-simple-electric-fences-chickens/

 

[roosterhavoc]

If you would like to continue free ranging birds it would help if you learned to trap. Nothing else will work aside from keeping them locked up.