Chicken predator identification is important so chicken keepers know what has attacked their flock and how to prevent it from happening again by protecting your flock from common predators.
On a personal note…Tara and her young son, Beckett, had started the morning like any other: a short stroll in their backyard to the coop where their four hens lived. As they drew closer, however, Tara sensed something wrong. She told Beckett to wait, then approached the henhouse slowly—only to see a quartet of bodies slumped on the ground, motionless. Quickly, she took a confused Beckett back to the house and, once he was occupied, returned to investigate.
“It was like something made a hole in their chests and sucked the insides out. What did that to my chickens?” she asked me.
I get this question far too often. I hate to hear how birds, sometimes entire flocks, get decimated by nocturnal and diurnal predators. It’s happened to our flocks a handful of times over the years, enough so that I can look at a victim and identify the predator, whether raccoon, dog, weasel, fox, coyote or other.
If you find your flock has been attacked, here is a reference guide to chicken predator identification so that you can take proper precautions in the future.
If you find your chicken with its head missing, chances are the attacker is a raccoon or a bird of prey, such as a hawk. Birds of prey will swoop down and scare chickens, who sometimes jump up in fear and get their heads caught in the netting or mesh that covers their run. A hawk or other bird of prey will then grab the head with its powerful talons and rip it off. Raccoons will also go through fencing and rip the heads off of chickens. They often do this by reaching through at ground level to grab a chicken and pull its head off, leaving its body on the other side of the fence.
What Eats a Chicken? Identifying Common Chicken Predators
When you keep chickens in your backyard, you need to keep them safe from animals that might try to eat them. Just about every animal that eats meat likes chicken, so you need to keep your flock safe. This article will talk about the most common animals that eat chickens, how to spot them, and how to keep them away.
FoxesFoxes are cunning predators that can decimate a flock in one night. They are found worldwide and are active day and night. Signs of a fox attack include missing chickens dug holes around the coop, and claw marks on the coop. To deter foxes, install electric fencing and remove any hiding spots like brush piles near the coop.
Coyotes
Coyotes are wild canines that hunt alone or in packs. They prey on poultry by biting and shaking their prey. Evidence of coyotes includes damaged fencing and missing free-range chickens. Keeping chickens in a secure, covered run helps prevent coyote attacks.
Raccoons
Persistent and intelligent, raccoons are a notorious chicken predator. They attack the head and crop and raid nests for eggs. Look for partially eaten chickens, empty eggshells, and a faint musky odor. Raccoon-proof your coop with sturdy locks, small mesh wire fencing, and a covered run.
Opossums: Opossums like dead animals and bugs, but they will attack chickens and eat eggs when they get the chance. Signs include missing chicks and eggs with teeth marks. To keep your flock safe, collect eggs often, lock the coop at night, and catch and get rid of opossums.
Hawks: Eagles and hawks attack from the sky and take chickens to eat. Look for signs like scattered feathers and chicken remains. Keep your chickens in a covered run and put up overhead nets for extra safety to keep hawks away.
Weasels
Weasels are ferocious predators that can wipe out a flock in one night. They target the head and neck and fit into very small openings. Look for multiple small bites and piled carcasses. Use 1⁄4 inch hardware cloth to patch holes and seal the coop against weasels.
SnakesSnakes eat eggs and baby chicks. Missing chicks and egg shells are evidence of snakes. Keep chicks safe by raising them indoors until grown. Look for slither trails in the coop and close up any holes bigger than 1/2 inch.
Dogs
Both feral and domestic dogs will prey on chickens. Attacks result in maimed birds and damaged fencing. Train dogs to leave chickens alone and keep them separated from the flock. Bury fencing to prevent digging.
Cats
Domestic and feral cats kill smaller chickens, eating the meat and leaving the skin and feathers. Missing chickens and scattered feathers are clues. Use covered, enclosed runs to limit cat attacks.
Rats
Rats target eggs, chicks, and chicken feed more than adult birds. Look for bites, missing chicks, and droppings. Use traps and seal openings to deter rats. Never use poison where chickens can access it.
By properly securing the coop, runs, and flock areas, most chicken predators can be prevented from harming backyard flocks. Pay attention to signs of attack and take action right away to identify the culprit and improve your defenses. With persistence and vigilance, you can protect your beloved chickens.
Missing Legs and Wings
A chicken whose mortal injury was the loss of a limb, such as a leg or a wing, was the victim of a raccoon. In this case, the raccoon reached through the fencing and caught hold of your bird’s limb instead of its head.
Missing or Damaged Eggs
A number of predators prey on poultry eggs. Snakes swallow eggs whole. Rats carry eggs away a short distance, then eat them. A skunk punches a hole into an egg, then sticks its muzzle in to lick out the contents. Raccoons and opossums tend to crush eggs to eat them, leaving behind a mess of mashed shell and oozing interiors. Blue jays and crows are known to occasionally prey on poultry eggs.
Why Chickens Eat Their Eggs (and HOW to STOP Them!)
FAQ
What animal eats a chicken?
Predators include coyotes, foxes, bobcats, weasels and their relatives, birds of prey, racoons, opossums, skunks, rodents, and snakes. Dec 20, 2018.
What animal will eat an entire chicken?
DOG AND COYOTE: A wild coyote may seem like the most obvious danger for someone who keeps chickens in their backyard, but you also need to keep an eye on man’s best friend: the domesticated dog. Both dogs and coyotes can and will carry off whole chickens without a trace.
How do I know what predator killed my chicken?
Often the chickens’ bodies are bloodied. Also, you might notice that internal organs have been eaten. If birds are dead and not eaten but are missing their heads, the predator may be a raccoon, a hawk, or an owl.
Do chickens have natural predators?
Any poultry that is unprotected, including free range chickens, are viewed as part of the natural food chain and will make an easy meal for predators like coyotes, black bears, foxes, fisher, birds of prey, and more.