whats been killing my ChickenS?

[Rebelschild]

I had 5 chickens to start out with. Two hens got gone in the middle of the day with no feathers or evidence. so i get 2 to replace it. i keep the new chickens in a small inclosure i had bought at tractor supply to keep my chicks in when i first got em( my chickens roam free now). When i got up the next morning one of the full grown hens i had just bought had been ate through the wire, which was smaller then chicken wire. all that was left was some intestines and the wings with feathers all over the ground. I turned the other chicken loose so it would have a fair chance til i could figure out what was getting it, but it got gone the same day. I have seen a huge ground hog around my yard but dont know if it would get my chickens like this. Does any one have any ideals?im in the western nc area.

 

[firestrike09]

First where do u live?
Could be a coon, getting thru a crack or hole. Any thing u can sick a childs fist thru a weasle/opposum can get thru, any thing a adults hand size a coon can get in. Alot of times coons stick their hands thru wire and snag a chicken at night and eat them thru the wire. During the day tho id go with either somebodys dog, or a hawk. Hawks dont leave any trace(lucky if u find even a feather).
If u live where i live
North Georgia, could be fox.
BTW chicks should be in a brooder. Any thing under 5 weeks old is fair game to hungry rats.
Start settin traps. And make ur coop secure.

 

[shelbyboatner]

it could also be a skunk. our chickens have been getting killed too and sometimes feathers are left or legs or even wings. we thank it might be a skunk or hawk. there not free roaming either there in a big pen with no roof surrounded by chicken wire and there house.