What killed my mille fleurs?*** GRAPHIC PICS***

[IroquoisEgg]

My two 6 week old Roos were killed last night inside their coop, and my polish was bitten under her wing, but so far is surviving. I was thinking rats, but not sure. Or maybe pecking? Here are 2 pics I took, they're gross, but I am hoping someone will have a better idea of what we're dealing with. Sad day.

 

[chickensrfood]

Chupacabra?

Seriously though those wounds look small. Do you have weasels or any small predators like that? If they were killed inside the coop you better do some serious reinforcing because the pred will be back.

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

Oh my goodness, I am so sorry.


Do you see an entry point for the predator? I am guessing - just guessing - rat or maybe weasel?

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

So sorry for your loss. I don't have any experience with predators inside coops.

 

[zazouse]

You were rite looks like the work of rats, i have seen the same thing a time or two threw the years.

Sorry for your loss, Millis are my favorite out of all the different breeds i have here.

 

[thegoldengirls]

I agree with chickensrfood..well, maybe not the Chupacabra part.

Rats would be more interested in the food, and maybe eggs.
However, a weasel sounds valid. They tend to attack the head of the prey. In your pictures it looks like it was only interested in the head and abdomen, or where the soft internal organs are. And weasels can get into very small spaces.
You will definitely want to get it out of there. May try trapping it outside the coop with some canned catfood for bait. Just make sure you have the right trap so it won't get out.
Good luck with your hunt!

 

[nzpouter]

looks like rat damage... we have them killing our pigeons by ripping out the crop to get to the grain inside... ate a bit of breast meat and brain and left the rest, back the next night to take another bird down... gone on for over a week before we finally caught it..

 

[IroquoisEgg]

thanks all, we don't have weasels around here according to my DH. But we do have lots of rats, the dogs are always chasing them and then my DH takes a BB gun to them. But, I know if there's a couple seen...well we probably have tons. Well, no losses last night thank goodness. We did alot of work trying to make their coop safer, and our big permanent one has cinder blocks they'd have to chew,or dig through. I will post pics on the appropriate thread, 2 more days and it should be done!!