Desperately need help identifying this animal scat

[_akd2020_]

Hello all. I first noticed a pile of poop next to my coop, last week. The area the poop is in is a blocked off area where I keep my shovel, scoop, & rake for the coop & run, but the chickens could go back there if they really tried & jumped over the panel. I didn't look much into it detail wise as it is the same size as my chickens poop, & I assumed that's what it was, so did my husband. Everything has been fine, nothing unusual, until today I saw these piles. The piles are similar in size to chicken poop but looked like cat poop to me, but we have no outdoor cats. I have no clue what animal this is from, but it has me so worried. I have tried finding the answer by looking up everything online, but it only caused us anxiety. I have feeders out in the run along with feeders in the coop, I am worried whatever animal this is from has been into their food. If the animal ate my chickens food, & drank their water, should I be concerned for my chickens & for my family? Any info helps, & is very much appreciated, thanks so much!

 

[cavemanrich]

I am worried whatever animal this is from has been into their food. If the animal ate my chickens food, & drank their water, should I be concerned for my chickens & for my family?

Concern for chickens,,,, Maybe.
Concern for family... Not likely.
My #1 suggestion,,, REMOVE FOOD FROM OUDOOR ACCES AT NIGHT. As well as water if possible. That way whatever animal it is,,, will not be stopping by for a Midnight snack.
I secure my chicken feed in metal containers, for the night.
Dump out the water containers as well.
That scat looks like it may have came from a small, to medium opossum.
No location in your profile,,,,,, so I am not sure if opossum live in your area.

WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and

 

[_akd2020_]

Concern for chickens,,,, Maybe.
Concern for family... Not likely.
My #1 suggestion,,, REMOVE FOOD FROM OUDOOR ACCES AT NIGHT. As well as water if possible. That way whatever animal it is,,, will not be stopping by for a Midnight snack.
I secure my chicken feed in metal containers, for the night.
Dump out the water containers as well.
That scat looks like it may have came from a small, to medium opossum.
No location in your profile,,,,,, so I am not sure if opossum live in your area.

WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and

Thank you so so much! I put the food & water containers away for the night, I plan to dump all food & water out tomorrow morning & clean the feeders & waterers. I am not sure how I am going to dispose of the poop, but I plan to do more research on that. We live in central IN, & we have a small wooded area behind our house & chicken coop, but I haven't had any issues until this. Once again, thank you!

 

[cavemanrich]

I am not sure how I am going to dispose of the poop, but I plan to do more research on that

That is very easy. Do just like peeps pick up after their dogs on walks.
Any plastic bag, and then just invert,,,, tie closed, and throw away into trash.
If you don't have regular trash collection,,, somewhere away from coop,,, dig shallow hole,, and dispose into earth.

 

[Seaslug]

I my be VERY VERY off on this, but to me it looks a lot like goose poop. At least the first photo does. I can't really see the second image. Good luck.

 

[_akd2020_]

.

 

[wrathsfarm]

I would be concerned about how it got in. Do you not lock your birds up at night?

It'll be back....

 

[_akd2020_]

I would be concerned about how it got in. Do you not lock your birds up at night?

It'll be back....

I do put them up at night, they also have a automatic door they can go through & it closes on a timer at night. I honestly didn't see the little guy. He was in a nesting box under the straw. When I went out the next morning I definitely noticed him because the girls were standing around the nesting boxes & looking at the boxes, & that's when I saw him sleeping in them. So I assume he got in just like they do, through the automatic door. I am still trying to figure out how he got in our chicken run because we have it pretty secured & double fenced. I'm going to search for any small openings

 

[wrathsfarm]

I do put them up at night, they also have a automatic door they can go through & it closes on a timer at night. I honestly didn't see the little guy. He was in a nesting box under the straw. When I went out the next morning I definitely noticed him because the girls were standing around the nesting boxes & looking at the boxes, & that's when I saw him sleeping in them. So I assume he got in just like they do, through the automatic door. I am still trying to figure out how he got in our chicken run because we have it pretty secured & double fenced. I'm going to search for any small openings

Ah that's good. I've never had a possum attack here yet, but I've read of them going after birds. Mostly I hear they go after eggs.
But I actively trap and dispatch here in Michigan when I see predator sign.
I would look into your local laws regarding release especially if the woods behind you isn't yours.
Mi law is trap and release only on your own property or with permission on someone else's.
So by law I must dispatch.

I agree with this law as I don't want return visits nor do I want to give someone else that predator problem.
Good luck finding your entrance point and happy to hear your flock was still safe.