What predator could have killed my chickens?

[jayewallace]

Have you thought about foxes? We've previously had many chicken taken away by foxes.

Our first assumption was a fox because of the severity. We thought a raccoon last time but this was much worse. Just weird that it was in the middle of the day and I didn’t hear anything and I had a couple of windows open. Also assumed a Fox because of the 2 that are missing that were obviously taken away eaten/to be eaten. Just couldn’t understand why they would kill 3 and not eat them and just leave them behind. They very clearly were terrorized over a large area and were all running for their dear lives

 

[sourland]

A dog or dogs play/killing. A true predator would have taken the birds. Hopefully the two missing birds return. Keep the remaining birds cooped/penned up. The killer will return.

 

[WthrLady]

Fox. Seriously. We have them here all times of day and they do kill as many as they can as FAST as they can and then come back later for the dead to hide in their SEVERAL dens for later feasting.

Males have moved on to new territories and are looking for new sources of winter food.

I have done nothing for weeks but track and trap the red devils.

 

[CJC787]

Our first assumption was a fox because of the severity. We thought a raccoon last time but this was much worse. Just weird that it was in the middle of the day and I didn’t hear anything and I had a couple of windows open. Also assumed a Fox because of the 2 that are missing that were obviously taken away eaten/to be eaten. Just couldn’t understand why they would kill 3 and not eat them and just leave them behind. They very clearly were terrorized over a large area and were all running for their dear lives

Yeah, when two of my chickens were killed by a fox it was day as well. I was in our living room when I saw a fox outside. I thought it hadn't gotten them yet. I went outside and scared it away before it could get any more. I didn't even hear anything before looking outside.

 

[jayewallace]

Fox. Seriously. We have them here all times of day and they do kill as many as they can as FAST as they can and then come back later for the dead to hide in their SEVERAL dens for later feasting.

Males have moved on to new territories and are looking for new sources of winter food.

I have done nothing for weeks but track and trap the red devils.

This is exactly what we thought. It was an absolutely awful scene. Just so shocking though because like I said I have never in 3 years seen a fox on our property nor have we ever had this kind of viscous attack. We have had all of these hens since babies. They are 3 years old and have always been free range and we only experienced our first loss a few months ago but it was not like this. We just had 2 hens disappear with a small pile of feathers and a dead guinea that had shoved itself between the fence and a hay bale and looked scratched. I’m planning to keep the remaining g 3 locked I. Their coop now for a few weeks. Do you think that will be sufficient?

 

[jayewallace]

This is exactly what we thought. It was an absolutely awful scene. Just so shocking though because like I said I have never in 3 years seen a fox on our property nor have we ever had this kind of viscous attack. We have had all of these hens since babies. They are 3 years old and have always been free range and we only experienced our first loss a few months ago but it was not like this. We just had 2 hens disappear with a small pile of feathers and a dead guinea that had shoved itself between the fence and a hay bale and looked scratched. I’m planning to keep the remaining g 3 locked I. Their coop now for a few weeks. Do you think that will be sufficient?

At the end that is supposed to say that I’m planning to keep the remaining 3 locked in their coop now for a few weeks before I let them out again. Do you think that will be sufficient to avoid the same predator?

 

[CJC787]

This is exactly what we thought. It was an absolutely awful scene. Just so shocking though because like I said I have never in 3 years seen a fox on our property nor have we ever had this kind of viscous attack. We have had all of these hens since babies. They are 3 years old and have always been free range and we only experienced our first loss a few months ago but it was not like this. We just had 2 hens disappear with a small pile of feathers and a dead guinea that had shoved itself between the fence and a hay bale and looked scratched. I’m planning to keep the remaining g 3 locked I. Their coop now for a few weeks. Do you think that will be sufficient?

I would get a trap. You just want to be sure, don't take any chances on your chicken's lives. It's not worth it. Even if you don't get one, your better safe than sorry. Plus you don't have to kill the fox if you don't want to assuming you catch one. Just keep it there for a while and when you let it go it probably won't come back.

 

[Macchickenman]

So sorry for the loss.. I have four hens about 6 months old and am worried overtime they are out....

 

[MROO]

I am so, SO sorry you have to deal with this!
From what I've seen, foxes will sometimes kill as many birds as they can, take what they need and come back for the rest later. They are generally much quieter than dogs, while attacking. Even so, the widespread area and the chunks missing from some of the birds still point to dogs. It sounds like they stuck around long enough to make a game of it, while foxes are generally in-and-out.
Since this isn't the first attack, whatever came for lunch will likely be back for another meal. The best way to tell (other than sitting out there all day and night with a shotgun) is to set up a camera. If you have a baby monitor in the house, set it up in your hen house, tonight. If your thieves were foxes, they'll likely come back at night. As soon as you can, you may want to rig up some electric wire along the bottom edge of your fence.
Good Luck - and keep us posted.

 

[MissChick@dee]

Just a thought perhaps the other two hens got away and are hiding. Might look/call for them.