Official BYC Poll: The Worst Predator

[thecreekhouse]

I was curious as to which predator the most chickens have been lost to.

I wish folks responding to this question would say whether their losses occurred while their chickens were free-ranging or in a coop and run. Some people are including that information and it appears that many more predator losses occur when chickens are free ranging than in a coop and run.

 

[gimmie birdies]

mine were fenced, but the fenced area is probably 1/4 acre, and no protection from hawks. After the last hawk attack a crow flew over head, this time they were ready to duck and cover!

 

[thecreekhouse]

I lost 5 hens to either a raccoon or a possum in 2015. It upset me so much that I swore I wouldn’t have chickens any more. In 2017 I decided to try being a backyard poultry keeper again but I almost immediately lost all 4 of my hens - my whole flock in one day - to a hawk. In the first attack, my hens were free ranging in our fenced, downtown backyard. In the second case they were free ranging in a meadow at the farm we are renting. I’m trying again - I have a new flock of 6 pullets of different breeds - but I now keep my chickens in a secure, locked, covered coop and run, and I only let them out when they’re being held or handled. No more free ranging.

 

[Alexandra33]

All but one loss has occurred while free-ranging. One of my young pullets managed to fly over the fence, got stuck outside, and became a raccoon's dinner. I did away with enclosures.

~Alex

 

[Button Quail 123]

Raccoons!
I actually had a small water garden with minnows that got decimated by those masked murderers.

 

[gimmie birdies]

They do love water, they thought it was all set up for them...

 

[teringeorge]

In one night I lost 23 BCM's to a mink. It partially ate one chicken and the rest just had neck punctures.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Never had chickens but if I were to guess out of that list I would say fox of coyote.

 

[Bocktobery 10]

Dogs and hawks have been the issue here. I’d suppose every locale has a different #1 predator.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Dogs and hawks have been the issue here. I’d suppose every locale has a different #1 predator.

Right!