WHAT killed my chickens???

[cinders0220]

I hate the fact that this subject is what prompted me to become a member of this AWESOME site! I just can't find any answers to this question to convince me 100% that I know what killed them. So, I'm reaching out. This may be a little graphic for some.
I had 20 Orpington Buffs- 3 older hens (one a new mamma), 1 older Rooster, 2 - four month olds, 6-three month olds and 8 chicks..
My Yard is fenced in and never had intruders that I'm aware of. I let them free-range during the day and lock them in their coop/house at bed time. It was a clear day and I stepped out for 1 1/2 hours. When I got home...they were EVERYWHERE! Dead and on their backs. The body count was 8 chickens & 4 chicks. One younger hen, one chick and my rooster are totally missing. 3 young hens were found up on a fence (unusual) and 3 chicks were found alive..hiding in weird spots. This is what is confusing: Only one chicken was missing her head (no trace) but the other dead chickens were not mangled or damaged except for tiny sub-surface "holes" at the base of their necks between their wings in the shape of a "c" or upside-down "U". No blood, no gore. Their feathers were dry. Feathers were on the ground around each of them. All birds BUT TWO CHICKS were within the fencing - who were about 15' outside the fence...and these babies looked "squeezed"--their intestines were coming out of their bottoms.
. (sorry for the graphic description) and they also had tiny puncture marks under their wing. I have seen hawks and a fox in the area. Someone suggested fisher cat.Oh, and my neighbor has a German Shepard who in 3 years has NEVER figured out how to open the fence! I just don"t know. If it weren't for the 2 babies on the outside of the fence, this would be easier to solve. Needless to say, my remaining 6 will never free range again. My heart can't handle this again.

Any thoughts? Thank you!

 

[Maggiesdad]

Gosh that's rough - my heart goes out to you.

My first thought would be dog.

Welcome to BYC, sorry under these circumstances.

 

[applecore5]

I'm so sorry for your loss, just heartbreaking this sounds like the work of a raccoon to me. we found a raccoon out in broad day light hovering on a tree branch planning an attack. they will commonly just kill and not eat. but my dog (jack russell) once found a way out of his 6 layer electric fenced 1 acre area made a beeline for the brooder and killed 24 chicks. it looked like my dog just quickly killed (very little to no visible damage) all but 2 and those 2 did look "squeezed" in a way. sorry again

 

[cinders0220]

Thank you for the warm welcome!
I will definately keep an open mind to the neighbors dog...

 

[bockbock3043]

I hope this helped. I'm sorry for your loss :'( it must be horrible coming home to this! I suggest you look outside quietly during the day to see any suspicious movement. Or put a night vision camera. May I ask if their was any blood left in them? I could know what killed them With this info. And I hope this picture helps. It could be a racoon. Again, sorry for your loss :'(

 

[cinders0220]

Hi Applecore, I will keep my eyes open for raccoons. (Time for a have-a-heart!) Wow, I can only imagine the heartbreak of loosing so many chicks! BUT, You are the first to recognize the "squeezed" appearance. Thank you so much for telling me of your experience.
Cindy

 

[cinders0220]

Hi BockBock,
Interesting, I THINK they had blood left. Although there wasn't any blood at the puncture sites... As I looked for wounds, I plucked feathers. some blood showed, but not messy. I'm still new at chicken rearing...only 1 year in. I raised them as pets so I have no clue if they are supposed to bleed. What are you suspecting?
I will check out the yard as you suggest. This happened at 2 in the afternoon, so Im still wondering if raccoons are off the list. No birds were ripped open.
Thank you!

 

[bockbock3043]

Ill do some research. My chicken almost died from anaemia. I hated seeing her weak and sick. It made me cry very much. I only have one chicken and one rooster (at this moment, soon to get more). So i Will help you. I hope I help.

 

[bockbock3043]

I think this helps! It could have been a weasel! Seems like it. I hope I helped a bit.

 

[cinders0220]

I don't think I've ever seen a weasel in CT. Although, it would fit otherwise.
Here is what is confusing us: with process of elimination:

If it were a dog, it makes sense why so many were killed and left. BUT My rooster is gone, and two chicks were well on the other side of fence. Only one was decapitated.Plus, no explanation on how it got in and out. The area is well gated.

If it were a Hawk, that would explain the type of wounds on their backs, broken necks, decapitated chicken, and squeezed chicks dropped on other side of fence.. But doesn't explain why so many were attacked, and clearance to "drop" the chickens from the sky was limited due to trees. We think maybe the rooster ran to each dropped chicken forcing the hawk to continue to grab another...and another. It also explains the headless one (a mis-calculated grab). BUT the rooster is gone, and he was BIG.(see my pix) They say hawks can only carry half their weight. And none of them were eaten. SO, that doesn't fit.

If it were a fishercat, that would explain the numbers and the tiny punctures, but again, none of them were eaten, ripped apart or gutted.

Could it have been a fox? They kill like dogs. It would explain a lot of this. EXCEPT for the fact that they were dry, and the two babies on the other side of fence.

Other animals seen in our area: Opossums, bobcats, mountain lions. raccoons, (in CT! lol)

As I read my posts, I realize I have separated myself from my girls and my roo.in order to cope with this. They all had names, and the younger ones were incubated and hatched by my daughter and myself. The chicks were hatched by Lucky-the best momma in the world. All I am trying to do is find closure and I appreciate any and all thoughts on this. I need to protect my last six...Fluffy, Bestie, Helen and the 3 luckiest chicks in the world.,,,,,, Thanks to all of you! Keep the thoughts coming!