*Sneakers Can Pass Through Large Wire Or Gaps in Structures

PREDATORS

PREDATOR ATTACK METHODS KILL METHODS Raccoons Climber/Jumpers Raccoons: Usually kill all birds, heads missing, crops or entrails eaten, heads Opossums Diggers or feet eaten through fence, may eat eggs Skunks Shovers Opossums: Missing eggs, chicks eaten, dead birds abdomen eaten, may take Sneakers* bites out of roosting birds Grabbers Skunks: Smell, eggs eaten, shells left behind, chicks’ entrails eaten, rarely eat adults Dogs Climber/Jumpers Dogs: Flock killed, birds not eaten Coyotes Diggers Coyotes: Usually only one bird taken, birds left behind have necks broken Foxes Shovers necks or feathers missing from neck Rippers Foxes: Usually only one bird taken, birds left behind have necks broken Grabbers necks or feathers missing from neck Cats Climber/Jumpers Missing chicks or adults, young birds may have only wings and feathers left, Grabbers adults meaty parts eaten, parts scattered around Bobcats Climber/Jumpers Cougars Shovers Missing chickens, destruction of fences, coops, overhead netting Rippers Hawks Dive Bombers Hawks: Missing chicken, pile or scattered feathers, wings & feet only found Owls Owls: Missing chicken, dead birds with head, neck and chest eaten Snakes Climber Missing eggs, crushed eggs, dead birds with slime on them Sneakers* Grabbers Rodents Climber/Jumpers Missing food & chicks, lots of droppings, eggs rolled from nest, roosting birds Diggers beaks and legs chewed on, feathers pulled from roosting birds Sneakers* Fire Ants Everyway Dead birds, ants still present, welts on birds, mounds nearby *Sneakers can pass through large wire or gaps in structures. RESOURCES

Predators of Chickens and How to Protect Your Birds

http:// www.grit.com/animals/predators-of-chickens.aspx

Chicken Predators: Your Chicken’s Worst Nightmare

http:// www.raising-chickens.org/chicken-predators.html

What killed my Chicken?

http://countrysidenetwork.com/daily/poultry/chickens/what-killed-my-chicken /

Predator Management for Small and Backyard Poultry Flocks

http:// articles.extension.org/pages/71204/predator-management-for-small-and-backyard-poultry-flocks

Poultry Predator Identification: A Guide to Tracks and Sign

http://ouroneacrefarm.com/poultry-predator-identification-a-guide-to-tracks-and-sign /

10 Tips for Predator-Proofing Chickens

http://www.communitychickens.com/10-tips-for-predator-proofing-chickens /

Chicken Predators – Technology Solutions to Protect Your Flock

http://www.backyardchickenzone.com/chicken-predators-technology-solutions-to-protect-your-flock /

Carla Allen – [email protected]