What killed my chickens?Picture of it's poop!

[kathk]

Something kidnapped my silkie & a week later killed our biggest hen-tearing open her neck & eating from her rump! It's coming out in the early afternoon & left a box full of poop. We're located in Iowa.

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[0wen]

Possum probably. Maybe skunk..

 

[aart]

Pic is not very clear and nothing for scale like a quarter or dollar bill.
Opossum, skunk, or raccoon are all possibilities.

How did it get in?
Look for hairs at entry/exit...then better tighten up your coop, because it'll be back for more.

 

[carlf]

Possum or raccoon.

The more important question is how did it get in? and have you fixed it?
Do you have a cage trap set? If not get one set, bait it with dry/canned cat food and marshmallows.
Whatever it was it will be back, most likely tonight. And unless you make your coop and run completely predator proof it will keep coming back and taking birds until there are none left. Of until you kill it.

Do you have a way to kill what ever you catch? Relocating predators is illegal in most states.

 

[kathk]

Thanks for replies! Sorry about the pic quality-it was a fairly large pile o' crap.
Anyway, we have a cage trap set & have relocated the birds to a fort knox style coop w/ enclosure.
It got my birds while they were free ranging between 10-12:30. We've never had anything like this in 2 1/2 years of letting them out. I think it's a raccoon or something maybe in the weasel family.
I'm not sure what we'll do if we catch it-I'm thinking i'd like to waterboard it...

 

[Flock In Texas]

A sword would be easiest, if you have one. If it's a skunk, I suggest asphyxiation. I'd wrap the trap up in a tarp except for the entrance to save yourself the trouble later with a skunk inside. If you have a stock tank, you can attach a rope to it and throw it in the water for a few minutes.

 

[Millworker26]

A sword would be easiest, if you have one. If it's a skunk, I suggest asphyxiation. I'd wrap the trap up in a tarp except for the entrance to save yourself the trouble later with a skunk inside. If you have a stock tank, you can attach a rope to it and throw it in the water for a few minutes.

I'd be surprised if a skunk could take down a full grown chicken. During the daytime. Not very bright those skunks.

I once caught a skunk in a cage trap. I carefully covered trap with tarp and propped door open. Came back 10 minutes later and skunk was sleeping. INSIDE the open trap!

But predators surprise me every day so what do I know

 

[bobbi-j]

I'd be surprised if a skunk could take down a full grown chicken.  During the daytime.  Not very bright those skunks.

I once caught a skunk in a cage trap.  I carefully covered trap with tarp and propped door open.  Came back 10 minutes later and skunk was sleeping.  INSIDE the open trap!

But predators surprise me every day so what do I know

Why would you let go again?

 

[Millworker26]

Why would you let go again?

Skunks never paid me any problems. And I don't think they are smart enough to become trap shy and become "untrappable" by a neighbor if they felt so inclined to want to trap one.

 

[bobbi-j]

Skunks are a major carrier of rabies here. For that reason alone, they are shot on sight here. They will also kill chickens and eat eggs if given the opportunity