What killed my 1 year old Speckled Sussex ?

[swampfox440]

Little varmints. It's to bad they do what they do they are cut little critters . Hers where it gets hard to tell with predators one can kill an animal eat it's share than another comes in and eats the guts . Rats take any advantage they can, even a small possum O can eat guts .

 

[50-45-1]

Yes, a weasel can get in through rat holes . the description of the kill sounds very much like possum to me though. Weasel will eat meat portions and suck blood. Possum are innards eaters.

A weasel will also eradicate your rat problem. Secure your chickens in a coop at night. And let your weasel clean up the rats.

 

[Songbird Farms]

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

Thank you

 

[Songbird Farms]

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

I live in Connecticut. rats, raccoons, Opossums, Coyotes, occasional bobcats are around.

 

[Songbird Farms]

Yes, a weasel can get in through rat holes . the description of the kill sounds very much like possum to me though. Weasel will eat meat portions and suck blood. Possum are innards eaters.

A weasel will also eradicate your rat problem. Secure your chickens in a coop at night. And let your weasel clean up the rats.

Thank you.
The odd thing is that only one chicken was harmed out of the 11 total.

Would the opossum enter the coop scare one hen out and then kill her outside – without disturbing the other hens ?

 

[Songbird Farms]

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

Thank you.

 

[Songbird Farms]

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.

the side fencing is hardwire cloth 1/4 holes. no signs of anything getting through that. the roof fencing has square holes approx 3inches.

 

[Songbird Farms]

Yes, a weasel can get in through rat holes . the description of the kill sounds very much like possum to me though. Weasel will eat meat portions and suck blood. Possum are innards eaters.

A weasel will also eradicate your rat problem. Secure your chickens in a coop at night. And let your weasel clean up the rats.

Thank you.

 

[Songbird Farms]

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.

the side fencing is hardwire cloth 1/4 holes. no signs of anything getting through that. the roof fencing has square holes approx 3 inches.

Thank you.

The odd thing is that only one chicken was harmed out of the 11 total.

Would the opossum enter the coop scare one hen out and then kill her outside – without disturbing the other hens ?