what's killing my chickens?

[plania73]

1st time after 8 years of owning araukanas 8 out of 15 went missing on windy night when gate opened..we found some feathers and 2 dead ones with intestines missing (looked like other hens got to them more so)that had some bites around the hinds..we keep finding the missing ones buried in shallow graves around property..Stored for later?I've set traps and cought a cat so far..but I doubt it would kill 8 in one night ate some and buried the rest..we don't have weasels or racoons only skunks(southwest regions)

 

[N F C]

Good morning and welcome to BYC!

That's too bad your 1st post here had to do with such a loss. You could post this under the predator & pest forum and see if someone there could help id what happened to your chickens.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/13/predators-and-pests

There's also information under the Learning Center tab that may help identify your predator:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/chicken-predators-pests-how-to-protect-treat-your-flock

I hope you've put a good latch on your gate to prevent it from accidently opening again.

I'm sorry for your loss.

 

[Michael OShay]

1st time after 8 years of owning araukanas 8 out of 15 went missing on windy night when gate opened..we found some feathers and 2 dead ones with intestines missing (looked like other hens got to them more so)that had some bites around the hinds..we keep finding the missing ones buried in shallow graves around property..Stored for later?I've set traps and cought a cat so far..but I doubt it would kill 8 in one night ate some and buried the rest..we don't have weasels or racoons only skunks(southwest regions)

Given the nature of the deaths (mulitple birds killed and the missing intestines), the culprit was likely either a skunk or an opossum.

 

[rufus]

Sprinkle flour around the coop. Then check for foot prints the next morning. It sounds like a fox, but I could be wrong. If the head is missing, chances are it was a bird of prey, but they only take one.

Somewhere on this site there is a posting showing the tracks of various varmits.

Good Luck

 

[drumstick diva]

Fox will bury their prey for later meals. If several were buried it might be a few fox. If we could see what your coop and pen looked like we could suggest ways to beef them up against predators. If you have a game cam to set up you might catch your predator or new ones on film, and know what you are dealing with.