What predator ripped through the chicken wire?

[Blondie]

A friend of mine just lost all his hens in one fell swoop. See the picture below. Whatever it was ripped a hole through the chicken wire. They live in a very rural area with lots of woods and trees around. He had about 9 chickens and they were left in 2 "neat" piles, but they were very mangled. What do you think could do this?

 

[jerseygirl1]

raccoon?

 

[Cindiloohoo]

A neighbor who isn't chicken friendly that wanted it to look like an animal did it? That is a nice neat hole in the fence. Otherwise, I dunno.

 

[Sillystunt]

That has coon written all it! But there are others that could have done it. She needs the hardware cloth that is on the door , on the whole coop. Sorry abbout the loss

 

[dacjohns]

My first thought when reading was raccoon. Then I saw the photo. That is a big hole. Canine? Maybe person trying to cover their tracks.

 

[TarzantheChickenMan]

chickens in piles and a hole that far and that big looks like a dog to me
sorry for your losses

 

[Buff Hooligans]

That should be the poster picture of why people should use hardware cloth and NOT CHICKENWIRE.
So sad!

 

[lighthawk]

Were the two piles in the corners? Sometimes a Predator chasing them in a confined space will cause the birds to pile up in the corners and pack in so tightly they will actually smother the birds beneath them.
Watched it happen in a coop one time when I was a kid. the dog only actually got one or two birds but the majority of them were smothered.
I'm sure your friend now knows that all chicken wire does is confine the birds and it will not stop a predator. Hard lesson to learn. Sorry for their loss.

 

[Matt A NC]

The fact that the birds were left points to a dog. Chicken wire can keep chickens in, but that is about all it does.

Chicken wire is useless in keeping anything out. I suggest using welded wire, hardware cloth, and/or cage wire. Costs alot more, but keeps the birds safe.

Matt

 

[lighthawk]

Quote:
Whole heartedly agree. That picture speaks more than 1000 words.