What Killed My Hen?

[cowboyclayt]

I found one of my hens outside my 5-ft tall chicken run with it's neck and head gone. I was out of town, can't remember if I saw it in the run when I got back or if it happened while I was gone...

Any idea on what got it?

 

[Kessel23]

Probably a raccoon.

 

[cowboyclayt]

Probably a raccoon.

That's kind of what I'm thinking....Really strange though because I have dogs and have never had a coon grab one before...

 

[Kessel23]

I've got a lot of dogs too. They won't stop every raccoon attack, I have had plenty. You should get a live trap and bait it with the dead bird. Make sure to lock the other birds up in the coop tonight.

 

[cowboyclayt]

I've got a lot of dogs too. They won't stop every raccoon attack, I have had plenty. You should get a live trap and bait it with the dead bird. Make sure to lock the other birds up in the coop tonight.

I already buried the bird...and I don't have a trap. I always lock them up...except for the rare occasions when I forget and I didn't forget that night. The guy who was taking care of our animals didn't come until about 11:30 P.M. so maybe it snatched one before then.

 

[Kessel23]

I already buried the bird...and I don't have a trap. I always lock them up...except for the rare occasions when I forget and I didn't forget that night. The guy who was taking care of our animals didn't come until about 11:30 P.M. so maybe it snatched one before then.

Oh, well if it happens again save the bird and get a live trap. You could also get a dog proof coon trap and bait it with dog food and tuna. A trail camera can be useful to have, it is one of the best ways to identify a predator.

 

[cowboyclayt]

Oh, well if it happens again save the bird and get a live trap. You could also get a dog proof coon trap and bait it with dog food and tuna. A trail camera can be useful to have, it is one of the best ways to identify a predator.
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Thanks for the help! I will see if it happens again.

 

[Kessel23]

Thanks for the help! I will see if it happens again.

Goodluck, hopefully it does not happen again