It’s always heartbreaking to experience loss in your flock, but it can be particularly traumatic to lose a hen to a chicken predator attack. Knowing how to tell which predator killed your chicken will help stave off future attempts at the rest of your flock though. Different animals can eat chickens, so they are easy prey for many others. Luckily, flock owners can protect their hens from these coop thieves.
Chickens are vulnerable animals for many reasons. They make a lot of noise, which draws attention to themselves. Many predators enjoy eating their eggs, and hens aren’t well-equipped to defend themselves. Chicken predators can be anything from wild animals like hawks, foxes, raccoons or snakes, to neighborhood dogs and cats. Being vigilant against predators of all species is the best way to keep your flock protected.
Raising backyard chickens can be an extremely rewarding experience. However, when you find your beloved hens injured or killed, it can be absolutely heartbreaking Chickens have many natural predators that can threaten the safety of your flock. Identifying what animal killed your chicken is the first step to preventing future attacks and keeping the rest of your flock safe
Common Chicken Predators
Chickens are vulnerable to a wide range of predators. Both wild animals and domestic pets will see your flock as an easy meal. Here are some of the most common chicken predators you need to watch out for:
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Coyotes – These cunning animals are able to dig under or jump over fences. They typically kill chickens by biting them around the neck and head
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Foxes – Foxes are agile animals that can squeeze into small spaces, They may kill multiple chickens in one attack
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Raccoons – Notorious chicken predators that can unlock coops and squeeze into tiny openings. They often reach in, grab a chicken, and pull the head through an opening.
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Opossums: They like eggs most of all, but they will kill and eat chickens, especially chicks and young birds.
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Hawks – Will attack chickens during the daytime. Hawks grab chickens and carry them off leaving few traces behind.
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Owls – Silent nocturnal hunters. Usually leave behind chicken carcasses with the head and neck missing.
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Snakes – Constrictors that typically eat eggs whole leaving no trace. May kill chicks and swallow them whole.
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Cats & Dogs – Domestic and feral cats and dogs often kill chickens for sport, not food. Chickens may have no visible injuries.
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Rats – Rodents that may kill and eat chicks and young chickens. Leave small bite marks.
Signs of Predator Attacks
Pay close attention to any clues that have been left at a possible predator attack site. This can help you identify what animal killed your chicken. Look for these common calling cards:
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Missing chickens – No signs of struggle usually means a coyote, fox, bobcat, hawk or owl carried the bird off.
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Scattered feathers – Indicates the chicken was chased, attacked and carried away from the scene.
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Decapitated chickens – The heads and necks removed point to an attack by owls or raccoons.
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Chicken carcasses – Carcasses left behind are typically from opossums, rats, snakes, owls or dogs.
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Eggs missing – Missing eggs with no shells left behind signifies a snake. Eggshells point to skunks, rats, crows or raccoons.
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Coop damage – Chewed openings, bent walls, and digging under walls can indicate coyotes, foxes, raccoons, or skunks.
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Animal bites: Chickens with bite marks may have been harmed by opossums, rats, or dogs.
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Daytime attacks – Hawks, eagles, snakes, and dogs usually strike chickens during daylight hours.
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At night, the chicken was probably killed by an owl, fox, or raccoon that comes out at night.
Preventing Future Attacks
Once you have identified the predator that killed your chicken, you can take steps to prevent future attacks:
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Use sturdy coops and runs with predator-proof design features like lockable doors, wire mesh, and skirting along the bottom.
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Close coops securely at night and use automatic coop door openers and closers.
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Cover runs with mesh roofing and bury fencing to prevent digging underneath.
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Collect eggs frequently to avoid attracting predators.
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Use motion-activated lights and sounds to scare nocturnal prowlers.
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Keep vegetation trimmed around the coop to eliminate hiding spots.
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Use secure latches on doors and eliminate any openings bigger than 1 inch.
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House pets at night and supervise them when chickens are free-ranging.
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Invest in guard animals like dogs, donkeys, or geese that can warn off predators.
Losing chickens is an unfortunate risk of raising a backyard flock. Identifying the predator responsible for the attack is difficult but essential to protect your remaining chickens. Pay close attention to any evidence left behind and take proactive measures tailored to the specific chicken predator threatening your flock. With some added precautions, you can continue enjoying your chickens while minimizing the risk of tragic losses.
What are the visible causes of death or injuries?
Deceased hens with a wet head or neck likely fell prey to rat snakes that use constriction much like pythons to kill their prey. They can’t fit a full-grown hen inside their mouths – but it’s not for the lack of trying. Hen carcasses that are missing heads or sections of their necks are trademark signs of owls and raccoons. Rats will bite a hen several times, and after the hen is dead, they may only leave gnaw marks or missing pieces of flesh.
Finally, many dogs kill for sport – it’s part of their nature. “Prey drive” is a common attribute of many breeds of dogs, and often once the chase is over, they are no longer interested in their intended prey. Chickens killed by dogs will usually be found with no visible injuries.
Are eggs missing?
Many predators are more interested in your hens’ eggs over the meat on their bodies. Predators that are infamous for nest raiding include:
- Rats
- Snakes
- Possums
- Weasels
It’s possible for other predators to swipe eggs and leave your flock alone, but more often than not, larger or more aggressive predators will go after chickens and their eggs at the same time.
Look for traces of broken egg shells or damp areas in the nesting area that would indicate eggs have been broken. Mammals that break into the nesting box will usually enjoy their meal right there, leaving evidence behind. They may also crush other eggs in the process. Snakes on the other hand will leave no trace, as they ingest the egg whole. Evidence of a snake raiding the nest is little to none – eggs will simply be gone.
Chicken Predators: What’s Killing Your Chickens, How To Stop It
FAQ
What animals eat chickens?
In rough order of decreasing size the animals that kill and eat chickens are: Bears. Mountain lions. Coyote, wolf or dogs. Foxes. Bobcats. Raccoon. Opossums. Skunks. Domestic or feral cats. Weasels, Mink, Ferrets, Martens and stoats. Hawks, owls, crows and magpies. Snakes. Rats.
Are predators responsible for my chicken losses?
I had to learn how to spot the signs of predator attacks in order to figure out if they were the cause of my chicken deaths. Common indicators include feathers scattered around the coop, bite marks on the chickens, and holes dug under the coop or fence. Additionally, some predators leave distinct tracks or scat near the crime scene.
What could be killing your chickens?
Working out what could be killing the chickens in your flock can help you protect against future attacks. Predators kill in different ways and at varying times of the day. The unwritten law is that predators always take the best or breeding birds and leave the surplus roosters.
Why did a dog kill a chicken?
Rat tunnels and holes gnawed in walls provide entry for other predators. Chickens found dead in the yard, but without any missing parts, were likely attacked by a dog. Dogs kill for sport. When the bird stops moving, the dog loses interest, which is why you often find the victim of a canine attack near where it was killed.
Can a pet kill a chicken?
Wild animals – like foxes, coyotes, and hawks – are natural predators that can kill your chickens. They’re searching for food and may have found it within your chickens’ coop. One thing you shouldn’t rule out is that your household pet might be the guilty party because they are capable as well. What can you do to stop them?.
Did a snake kill a chicken?
If a chicken is missing or dead, it may just be a pesky rat. It is hard to determine if a snake killed your chickens because they swallow the prey whole. For instance, they can consume an egg or chick as a whole, and the only sign of it happening is that it disappeared.
What animal will kill chickens and leave them?
Most chicken predators will take their prey with them, but a few will leave carcasses behind. These include: Raccoons (especially if they reached through the run) Owls.
How do I tell what animal killed my chicken?
Which parts are missing from a dead bird can help you identify the culprit. It’s likely that a raccoon reached in, grabbed the chicken, and pulled its head through the wire, leaving its head missing. The chicken could have been on the ground or next to a fence.
What would kill a chicken at night?
Comments Section Possums and raccoons for sure. Any loose dogs that can get to your chickens. Coyotes. Next would be birds of prey, snakes, weasels/mink, and foxes. Snakes. Any other predators native to your area(skunks, bobcats, mountain lions, bears). I had a runty silkie killed by a snake.
Why has my chicken died suddenly?
It could have been anything from Gapeworm, Mycoplasma, Infectious LaryngoTracheitis Virus, Avian Influenza, Infectious Bronchitis, Aspergillosis/pneumonia or some other respiratory disease or issues caused by Vitamin A deficiency, parasites, fungi, viruses, environmental toxins, &/or air drafts.