whychicksmatter

[whychicksmatter]

Hi,
Could someone please tell me if rats will kill chickens. We didn't know if there were any rats in the coop which is in a barn which is closed at this time of year in the winter. But two nights ago we lost one rooster that showed no previous signs of illness and the other morning my best Blue Laced Red Wyandotte rooster had been decapitated with the head gone. The other rooster and the hens in with him weren't touched. Could this possibly be a rat or is there some other predator inside the barn? I've never had this happen before. This is really disturbing to me. Would eggs be fertile for about a week or so as didn't hatch any chicks last summer from but would like to see if I can get some now.

 

[CluckerFamily]

I am so sorry for your loss.
Rats mainly eat eggs and chicks but can attack and kill chickens.
If you use chicken wire, rats can chew through that wire along with other predators. If you have chicken wire, you may want to inspect to see if there are any chewed portions.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Missing head doesn't sound like a rat. Skull and vertebrae attached but mostly cleaned would be more of a rat or mouse sounding

 

[50-45-1]

Head removed sounds like owl.
Any chance your old barn which is closed has a gap or opening or missing board somewhere?

 

[50-45-1]

Yes your eggs will remain fertile for weeks after rooster is gone.

 

[cmom]

So sorry for your loss. I would also suspect an owl. If you have a camera, put it up. You may get a picture of the predator. Good luck...

 

[cmom]

What part of the country do you live?

 

[cmom]

A female will hold the sperm up to three weeks. After that it's iffy. After the first week the viability of the eggs goes down. That doesn't mean they won't hatch but are less likely as time goes on prior to incubation. Good luck...