What killed my hens

[Kimmi500]

Hi everyone!
I am still a chicken newbie and I need some advice from you more experienced chicken keepers. Saturday morning I went to do my normal chicken duties. When I came to their pen (10x10x6 Chain link kennel with a roof) I found one Red Sex Link hen gone (dragged through a small whole in the chain link) with a feather trail leading to the woods. The other hen was dead in the pen with only her head and neck gone. There was no blood what so ever, no tracks left and no hair on the chain link. I was devastated! I thought I had a pretty secure enclosure, but whatever got my girls was strong enough to make a hole in the chain link. Any ideas you guys might have would sure be appreciated! I don't want this to happen again, however I fear now that something has gotten in, it will be back for the rest Thanks for reading this and any advice you might have!

 

[bj taylor]

did something pull through the wire or chew a hole in the wire? i've heard of predators pulling a chicken through the wire like that. you might need to attach w/zip ties some solid surface or hardware cloth around the perimeter that is about 18" high that prevents them from reaching the chickens through the wire. sounds like something strong like a raccoon.
sorry for your troubles.

 

[Kimmi500]

Thanks! What ever it was didn't tear the chain link, it undid the chain link at the bottom to create the hole. We patched the hole and are going to run electric fencing around the bottom, but the hard wire cloth is a great idea! thanks!

 

[Mattemma]

I had a ground hog chew apart my chainlink.Now the coons and possums crawl through....right into my trap.Sorry for your loss.I keep a 1089 trap set 24/7.