'Possum or raccoon?

[Wishapup]

I know we have both living around here.

Broody bantam hen had 2 LF chicks, nearly five weeks old. We lock them up at night and allow them to free-range during the day. They stick around the house (flowerbeds!) and are never more than a few metres from the driveway. Some of us are typically outside as well.

Today the hen was observed with both her chicks and around mid-morning, noticed that one had disappeared. No scuffle or squawking alerted anybody who was outside. A few hours later, we found the remains next to an old shed (predators have been known to try to move in to this shed). The hen did not seem to be agitated at all and when the disappearance was noted, she was scratching with her remaining chick next to the house as usual where the kids were playing. The hatch was staggered and it was the older, larger chick that was taken. I know my hen would have tried to defend her chick because when I was walking my 65 lb dog yesterday nearby (who is indifferent to chickens), she puffed up and flew at her.

-lower body/cavity/tail remaining, with intestines intact but pulled slightly out, one leg still attached
-head/neck missing
-one wing and a leg lying apart from the body
-a few chunks of feathers lying around, but not many

This attack occurred in daylight. Opossum or raccoon?

 

[DeepDishChix]

That is a probably raccoon, because they are known to kill by biting the head off.

 

[drumstick diva]

I would guess Raccoon also - survivors of their attacks have the most gruesome injuries, wings or leg missing etc. They also will reach through fencing and bite off any body parts they can snag.

 

[Wishapup]

That is a probably raccoon, because they are known to kill by biting the head off.

Thanks! We had to conclude raccoon as well -- especially considering the leg severed. I know a number of predators tend to like the heads. We had a mink do that with adults once.

I would guess Raccoon also - survivors of their attacks have the most gruesome injuries, wings or leg missing etc. They also will reach through fencing and bite off any body parts they can snag.

Through the fencing doesn't sound pleasant!


Trap is set.

 

[DeepDishChix]

Raccoons also try to rip their heads off from outside the cages.

 

[Wishapup]

Caught a skinny possum by the shed a few days ago. Same malnourished individual we observed climbing the rosebush in the winter. Relocated it to a conservation area and thought the danger was over.

This morning her last chick was gone!

Last night, when I locked up the dog crate, I am not totally sure if the chick was there or not. She is always underneath the hen on the roost so I can't remember whether I checked.

Edit: And I can't find any remains, anywhere.

 

[enola]

What about a feral cat?

 

[feather13]

Sorry to hear about your loss! We've had both opossums and raccoons attack our birds. They both left the carcasses in the same state as yours. Either way, it is important that you set a trap out because the animal will keep coming back to attack your hens. Most humane societies will let you borrow a trap or you can often rent one from a feed store. You can check with your local authority to find out if you can kill an animal you trap that's hurting your livestock. In my urban area in southern California, it is illegal to kill most wildlife, but your local Canadian laws might be different. You might also want to look into making your coop more predator-proof and building a larger, covered run so that your birds can safely roam around during the day. We used to let ours free range during the day, but no longer do. Good luck!

 

[Wishapup]

What about a feral cat?

I doubt it. We have a cat and she doesn't allow intruders. The dog doesn't like strange cats either.

Sorry to hear about your loss! We've had both opossums and raccoons attack our birds. They both left the carcasses in the same state as yours. Either way, it is important that you set a trap out because the animal will keep coming back to attack your hens. Most humane societies will let you borrow a trap or you can often rent one from a feed store. You can check with your local authority to find out if you can kill an animal you trap that's hurting your livestock. In my urban area in southern California, it is illegal to kill most wildlife, but your local Canadian laws might be different. You might also want to look into making your coop more predator-proof and building a larger, covered run so that your birds can safely roam around during the day. We used to let ours free range during the day, but no longer do. Good luck!

Yes, we have a trap. I think the pregnant raccoon is too big for it though

We usually relocate after we trap. We've caught lots of skunks and possums over the years, but not raccoons yet.

I don't free-range my birds but I have to keep my broody hen separate from the flock, so she's been living in a covered dog crate beside the house at night, and outside during the day.

Not worried about predators getting into the coop/barn area with the 30 adults, though. The dog is nearby and it's quite predator proof. I also have 2 other batches of chicks in there. It's only the broody who was at risk. She's been returned to the flock now.

 

[123RedBeard]

A coon "dog-proof" type trap is good for catching coons, and not your dog! Quite a few different manufactures of that style ... Pick one!

I would not relocate a coon, even if it was legal ... Not sure what laws you have up there ... They don't need more than one lesson on what a trap is, and then they are trap shy, and avoid them!