What killed my 1 year old Speckled Sussex ?

[Songbird Farms]

Hi all –

Please let me know if you have any suggestions, suspicions and/or solutions for the following...

This morning I discovered one of my 11 hens lying dead – throat and head mangled – body cavity opened from the butt end with all organs removed. No other chickens injured at all.

In the early spring I completely predator proofed my coop and run. I have 6 foot high fencing all wrapped in hardwire cloth. Fencing barrier in the ground. And think gauge, but larger holed fencing for the top.

We haven't shut our coop door at all in 7 months, feeling very secure.

We do have rats, dusk – night. I trap a few a week and see that they have been able to dig multiple holes under the fence to get to the food can.

Would rats have attacked her this morning when she came out ?

Could it have been a small raccoon ? That would fit through a rat hole ?



Thank you.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

I can't help, but I'm sorry for your loss.

 

[neo71665]

What is your location? Helps to narrow down known local predators.

 

[llandry]

You mentioned 6' fencing but is there a roof of some sort?

 

[swampfox440]

In my opinion rats can kill chickens but weasels can fit in tiny holes also but being that the guts were the only thing taken I sounds like a rat . You don't live near area 51 do you? I hope it doesn't happen again ! Look for rat holes .

 

[swampfox440]

In my opinion rats can kill chickens but weasels can fit in tiny holes also but being that the guts were the only thing taken I sounds like a rat . You don't live near area 51 do you? I hope it doesn't happen again ! Look for rat holes .

I see you know you have rat holes . Sorry!

 

[swampfox440]

I see you know you have rat holes . Sorry!

A guy living near me had about 40 pigs and never cleaned or prevented rats . They found their way to our house and took over all the chipmunk holes . They were killing and eating everything . They learned how to set off the traps and take the bait . We watched them do it . So we had to put out poison and that didn't work . Later that year we had a bad flood it's the only thing that got rid of them . Norway Rats . Hope this helps .

 

[sourland]

Very likely a coon or possum entered the pen through the wire on top. What is the size of the holes? Secure the coop tonight, and put out baited live traps - whatever it is it will return.

 

[Weeg]

Sounds like a weasel to me, they are know to make it through chicken wire. Are the eyes damaged, they go for the eyes. Set a live trap, and see what you get. Sorry for you loss!

 

[Weeg]

They can get through 1" spaces. Our cats caught one once before it could get to the coop, kitties are a good defense!