What kind of predator?

[Nat and Ana]

Something tore the pop door open on my coop, pulling the wood latch (which was attached with a screw) out along with the eye screw on the secondary predator proof "lock". Wood latch was on the ground along with a large splinter of wood from the coop.

I don't even think I could pull that hard.

There was feed all over the inside of the coop (more than what the chickens would manage).
I found all 4 of my pullets hiding in the woods, one had most of her tail feathers pulled out.
The feed can which sat outside the coop was knocked over, but still closed. And a statue that I keep on top of the coop (a little fat Buddha) was also knocked off. So my fat Buddha kept did his job, I still have my girls, but dang if it'll happen again!
So what am I looking at? We have coyote, bobcat and bear (among all the other possible predators out there). I'm guessing bear, because I think a bobcat would have eaten my birds. But what do I know?
Btw, this all happened between 10am and 2pm today. I think that freaks me out the most. Any ideas?
Thanks.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Sounds like a bear, which was probably more interested in the feed. I would be running 3-4 strands or more of electric fencing around my coop. It is the only thing that will stop a bear.

 

[keesmom]

I would also guess bear.

 

[Nat and Ana]

My only thought against a bear is the size... It looked like the animal got into the feed, and it's in a pvc pipe that's 2in wide. And the pop door is ... well it's small. Still could it be a bear?

 

[123RedBeard]

My first thought was ... Raccoon ... they are strong critters ... while chickens are tasty ... catching one is more work than raiding their food!

They will be back!

 

[ChickenRelatedUserName]

If other people have bear sightings and you think that is what it is, might want to make some bear welcome mats. Basically a piece of OSB with nails/screws driven through it and flipped over so they step on the nails . Lay them around the coop and they'll get the message.

 

[Nat and Ana]

It's the "they'll be back" that worries me the most. But really during the middle of the day? ugh.

 

[Fishkeeper]

If you know you have bears, you should take precautions against bears. Electric fencing isn't a bad idea at all.

 

[True Patriot]

If other people have bear sightings and you think that is what it is, might want to make some bear welcome mats. Basically a piece of OSB with nails/screws driven through it and flipped over so they step on the nails . Lay them around the coop and they'll get the message.

Nail boards and other similar traps are illegal in a lot of areas.

 

[williamsingr12]

First thing you should have done was look for evidence of any type of foot prints and still go search your entire perimeter along any tree lines. If it was a bear you would know it and have bear claw marks and evidence of it using those claws to rip open the area so probably NO bear, what you describe is a lunatic prankster tearing up your pen ripping out the chickens tails feathers while he knows your away. a bear would have killed the chickens not just pulled out feathers. If it was a bear and did just kill the chickens and didnt eat them then its a rogue killer over 400lbs and man eater which you do not have so be lucky about that. A grizzy will rip open a freezer and eat the meat out of it by ripping it open with its claws that after it ripped through your garage to get into the freezer to begin with. Claw marks in the earth will be huge as large as your hand. Set up some trail cams immediately go with No glow immiters so that even a human wont see the lights , hide them so if it is a man he wont find them but first scout your area make sure your not being watched! Stealth cam makes a descent one up to 100 ft range and Bushnell and Browning . get rechargeable batteries and chargers spend the money do it right get 4 or 5 cams t back up each others misstake your gonna get one chance at this if its human or your stuff is all stolen