Predator help

[yankeeterrier]

I've lost 3 girls in the past week. Something is getting into the coop at night. It is small enough to get into a 6-8" gap in the door (I'm finding feathers on both sides of this gap so I am sure that is how the birds are being removed from the coop)but big enough to take down a healthy full sized bird and drag it off behind the barn to consume about half of it. It appears to kill by chewing up the birds neck and I'm not finding any prints in the snow around the area. A coyote would be too big, and I've only seen 1 raccoon here in 15 years (the dogs got him). I can't imagine an opossum would do that and I don't believe we have any weasel-ly things around, so perhaps a fox? or skunk? Sound like their MO? I've had birds the entire time I have lived here and not had a problem before. I'm moving my breeding birds and muscovies today and plan to tie one of the dogs out by the coop tonight, probably Rogue (to whom I owe an apology because I blamed her for the first casualty!). I have a light on in the hen house at night and the dogs did not put up a stink at any point either. Ideas? Suggestions?

[Jay27]

Probably a skunk, possum, weasel or rats. Just because you don't see them doesn't mean they aren't there. I've never seen a raccoon in my yard but my neighbor livetrapped 12 of them last year.

Close up the gap... if something CAN get in, it is just a matter of time before it does. You can set a livetrap with some wet catfood in it... that will attract most predators. Then you can find out what you are dealing with.

[yankeeterrier]

I'm ruling out rats, only because the birds are being dragged out of the coop and a good 100 yards to out behind the barn to be consumed (the first one was actually well out into the pasture). I've not noticed a skunky smell, but that doesn't rule them out. I just can't believe they are coming in with all my dogs around. I have 9 AmStaffs, an APBT, a St bernard and Neopolitan Mastiff so they are very brave, whatever they are.

[wintrrwolf]

Ive seen rats, weasel, possom, and skunk listed..Coyote's were ruled out, but we have fox that you never ever see cept maybe a out of the corner of your eye...live trap and see what ya get.

[yankeeterrier]

I am leaning towards fox. I have seen them around, they are small enough, yet strong enough. Would they kill by chewing up the birds neck? It looks like all 3 went that way. I need to see if my big trap is large enough IF I can remember where I stored it!

[fishhead]

I wouldn't be so sure that you don't have one or more of the weasels. It could be mink or even a big longtailed weasel or maybe even a fisher.

If you have a gap that would be the place to set traps but I would first close that gap. 6"-8" is large enough for anything from a coon to a weasel.

[currycomb]

just bought 20 chickens from a guy, the racoon came in while he was catching the chickens, he had to chase it out of his coop. said it went under the wall to his barn, so once they have found the buffet, they will come back.

[Bearfootfarm]

My 100 + lb Maremmas can squeeze through a 6-8 inch gap.
Close it up, problem solved.

Set your trap outside the pen and bait with sardines or cheap fish catfood

[WstTxLady]

If there is any way to set the trap on the INSIDE with the trap opening flush to the opening where the "culprit" is getting in(wedged tight so it can not be moved by whatever was getting in). That way no matter what bait you use, it walks right into the trap & then set another outside the coop cause fox run in pairs & if it is a fox you might get both.

If not, patch the hole good, set a trap near it. Not sure what it might be up in your area but hope you catch it fast. Putting a dog out there might help deter it or make it make another way in.

[yankeeterrier]

The 'gap' is the off side of the sliding door where it can be pushed out slightly. I put a wire gate up on the inside today and moved my ducks and breeding stock. I will leave Rogue out and hopefully she won't sleep through any visitors. You can tell the birds are upset and nervous.