What's getting my chickens?!

[kimlovesbarnevelders]

I haven't been on here in awhile! Mostly because I've been enjoying summer with my chickies. Well, the heat has mostly been keeping me inside and them outside for the past few days haha.
So last week family was in town and I forgot to shut the door to the coop. To my unpleasant surprise the next morning, I found a hole pried up in the wire fence enclosure and feathers leading out of it. Now this is some strong fence and there's like this pole around the panel, including the bottom. But whatever made the hole was very strong. The hole is about 4 inches tall and probably half a foot wide. This thing is small! Or can squeeze through a small space, I dunno. But it only took one bird so guess I got lucky. Either it was lazy, wasn't hungry, or is just too small to need that much food. Anyway apparently I'm dumb enough for it to keep an eye out.
Tonight I realized I had to close up two hours after dark. I ran down to the coop and figured I startled them because I heard squawking. But I got closer and saw movement, kind of like squirming, and heard one of my girls flapping around. It was so dark but I thought I saw something--it was dark colored, kind of in the grassy corner so I couldn't see it well, and it was about cat sized--so I sprinted home get some light. When I got back the thing was gone. I picked up my pullet (she's only five months old, so small, two or three pounds) and she was fine other than being in complete shock. Her tail feathers are almost gone as this thing pulled them out. I deduced that it was too small to kill her right away or it was playing with its food. I must have arrived just in time though.
I had lodged a mason jar in the hole and this thing pulled it out so it was the same thing as last time. I'm just trying to figure out what it is. I live in central Iowa. After a little researching I think it's a fox or coyote. Maybe a bobcat? I know one has a den pretty nearby because the dnr came by once, but this is a small hole. I figure they're bigger. Are foxes or coyotes strong enough to do some serious damage to a fence?
Also, I'm thinking about setting up a trap. I have a small one that keeps them alive. Should I do this or call someone? :/

 

[HEChicken]

Do you get minks (or their relatives) in your part of the country?

 

[1chicken fan]

I haven't been on here in awhile! Mostly because I've been enjoying summer with my chickies. Well, the heat has mostly been keeping me inside and them outside for the past few days haha.
So last week family was in town and I forgot to shut the door to the coop. To my unpleasant surprise the next morning, I found a hole pried up in the wire fence enclosure and feathers leading out of it. Now this is some strong fence and there's like this pole around the panel, including the bottom. But whatever made the hole was very strong. The hole is about 4 inches tall and probably half a foot wide. This thing is small! Or can squeeze through a small space, I dunno. But it only took one bird so guess I got lucky. Either it was lazy, wasn't hungry, or is just too small to need that much food. Anyway apparently I'm dumb enough for it to keep an eye out.
Tonight I realized I had to close up two hours after dark. I ran down to the coop and figured I startled them because I heard squawking. But I got closer and saw movement, kind of like squirming, and heard one of my girls flapping around. It was so dark but I thought I saw something--it was dark colored, kind of in the grassy corner so I couldn't see it well, and it was about cat sized--so I sprinted home get some light. When I got back the thing was gone. I picked up my pullet (she's only five months old, so small, two or three pounds) and she was fine other than being in complete shock. Her tail feathers are almost gone as this thing pulled them out. I deduced that it was too small to kill her right away or it was playing with its food. I must have arrived just in time though.
I had lodged a mason jar in the hole and this thing pulled it out so it was the same thing as last time. I'm just trying to figure out what it is. I live in central Iowa. After a little researching I think it's a fox or coyote. Maybe a bobcat? I know one has a den pretty nearby because the dnr came by once, but this is a small hole. I figure they're bigger. Are foxes or coyotes strong enough to do some serious damage to a fence?
Also, I'm thinking about setting up a trap. I have a small one that keeps them alive. Should I do this or call someone?

Too bad you couldn't video your coop and figure it out. I am sorry to hear about your girls!!! I know I have had my flock only about 6 weeks and I already know their personalities and such, I would hate to loose any of them.

 

[Cochaura]

Maybe a marten or fisher? Fishers are dark and I mistook one for a cat in our yard one night. Raccoons and skunks can be pretty good at getting into places too. Our rooster and five hens were killed a few weeks ago because the coop was open and we didn't get home until an hour after dark. I learned researching what predator it might be that even larger animals, like coyotes, can wriggle through some very small places! Those in the weasel family will kill just for sport. Did you see any fur or anything on the fence where the animal got through? Any tracks?