What Ate my Chicken?- Common Poultry Predators

It seems like every predator is willing to put chicken on its menu, which is very unfortunate for homestead chicken keepers. It doesn’t matter if you live in a densely wooded area or an urban suburb, poultry predators are everywhere! Having poultry predator awareness and knowing of the common poultry predators will hopefully help you prevent predator attacks and be prepared for identifying and dealing with a predator if you do have a predator attack.

Having a predator proof chicken coop and enclosure is always a good precautionary step on the homestead! For tips on predator proofing your chicken coop, make sure you check out Predator Proofing the Chicken Coop and Yard.

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Predator ID Tips

Of course, every homesteader wants to prevent a predator attack from occurring on their homestead flock, that’s why predator proofing is so important! However, if you raise chickens for any length of time, you are bound to have at least one predator encounter. Once a predator attacks, identifying should be a top priority. If you know what predator you are dealing with, it will be easier to take care of the situation and prevent it from happening again. These are a few key ID tips for pinpointing a predator:

• tracks- look for tracks around the area of attack, sandy areas and muddy areas are helpful when looking for tracks
• time of day- make a note of what time of day you know or think the attack occurred
• method of destruction- what parts were eaten, how many birds were killed
• frequency- does the predator keep coming back for seconds?

Below I have listed the common predators of homestead poultry and tips for identifying each of them. Research what predators are most prevalent in your area so you can be prepared properly.

Note: Supervising free-range time will not completely prevent predator attacks. Some predators can be very bold when it comes to snagging a chicken snack. Your presence may not always deter a predator. Livestock guardian animals can be helpful for providing added protection to free-range flocks.

Domestic Dogs

ID Clues-

• The hindfoot and frontfoot tracks are often offset from each other (characteristic known as ‘dog tracking’).
• Sizes vary depending on breed of dog, will attack at any time of day but most occur during daylight hours.
• Repeated attacks may occur.

Method of Destruction-

• Will sometimes carry off their kill.
• Often mass murder or kill for sport.
• Bites and injuries vary depending on if the dog wanted to kill or if it merely mutilated the bird(s).

Places to Predator Proof- Install a hardwire cloth curtain below/around the enclosure and the chicken coop to prevent digging. Ensure the enclosure is surrounded with strong fencing (hardwire or RedBrand fencing). Supervise free-range time.

Coyotes & Foxes

ID Clues-

• Tracks will be characterized by ‘perfect stepping’, meaning they will be in a straight line with the frontfoot and hindfoot tracks directly over each other.
• Usually attack in the morning but can occur at anytime of the day.
• Will often be bold even when humans are present.
• May return once they know where they can get an easy meal.

Method of Destruction-

• Will carry off their kill. Foxes have a tendency to bury their kill.
• Usually take one bird at a time.
• Leave little evidence behind as they tend to kill to eat.

Places to Predator Proof- Have a strong enclosure and install a hardwire curtain around the base of the enclosure and coop to prevent digging. Ensure all latches are secure. Supervise free-range time.

Bobcats

ID Clues-

• Prefer to attack in the morning or evening, but may attack at any time of day.
• Tracks will show no claw marks.
• Will return for repeated attacks if successful.

Method of Destruction-

• Carry off their kill to eat.
• Usually take 1-2 birds per visit.
• Leave little evidence of kill.

Places to Predator Proof- Have a strong enclosure and coop. Securely fastened hardwire cloth on windows and enclosure. Predator proof doors. Supervise free-range time.

Domestic Cats

ID Clues-

• Tracks also exhibit ‘perfect stepping’ like coyotes and foxes.
• Walk with their toenails retracted, so there will be no claw marks with the tracks.
• Can attack at any time of the day.

Method of Destruction-

• Sometimes will carry off their kill. May kill to eat.
• Will leave the skin, feathers, and sometimes wings of killed birds.

Places to Predator Proof- Close off any small cracks or gaps that a cat could squeeze through. Have a securely covered coop and enclosure since cats can climb up trees, boards, and enclosure materials.

Fishers

ID Clues-

• Similar signs to minks and weasels.
• Often found near water.
• May attack at any time of day.
• Will attack repeatedly if successful.

Method of Destruction-

• Kill for sport and are mass murderers.
• Prefer to bite the head and neck region.

Places to Predator Proof- Close off any small spaces or gaps in the coop and enclosure. Use 1/4″ hardwire cloth on all windows and the enclosure.

Mink

ID Clues-

• Tracks are small and resemble paw prints.
• Will sometimes leave behind a musky scent.
• May attack at any time of the day.
• Repeated attacks will occur if the mink is successful.

Method of Destruction-

• Minks are often found near water.
• Kill for sport and are mass murderers. Often pile up their kill.
• Bites to the head and back of the neck are common.

Places to Predator Proof- Use 1/4″ hardwire cloth since they can squeeze through holes as small as an inch. Close off any small holes or gaps in the coop or enclosure.

Weasels

ID Clues-

• Tracks are like a small paw prints with pointy toes.
• Will attack at any time of the day.
• Weasels have been known to squeeze through 1/4″ diameter spaces.

Method of Destruction-

• Kill for sport and are mass murderers.
• Bites around the head and the back of the neck.
• Sometime they will eat around the vent.

Places to Predator Proof- Close off small spaces and gaps in the coop and enclosure. Use 1/4″ hardwire cloth as weasels can squeeze through small spaces.

Raccoon

ID Clues-

• Hindfoot and frontfoot tracks will both be visible. The hindfeet tracks will be longer than the frontfeet tracks.
• Will kill several birds per visit and will come back frequently.
• Return visits usually occur every 4-5 nights.
• Have been known to grab birds through wire and pull them apart.

Method of Destruction-

• Sometimes will carry off their kill.
• Attacked birds will often be missing their head and their crop.
• Birds pulled apart near their enclosure is the work of a raccoon.

Places to Predator Proof- Use 1/4″ hardwire cloth. Have tricky latches that are predator proof since raccoons have been known to figure out simple latches and door handles. Fasten hardwire securely so that it cannot be pulled out.

Snakes

ID Clues-

• May see path where the snake slithered through sand, mud or dirt.
• Will attack at any time of the day.
• Mostly prey on eggs, but will eat baby chicks too.

Method of Destruction-

• Eats chicks whole as well as eggs.
• Often seen sitting in the nesting box after eating eggs.
• Leave little sign of attack.

Places to Predator Proof- Close off any small spaces in the coop and enclosure. Look around door frames, windows, the base of the coop, and in corners for cracks and gaps to plug. Use 1/4″ hardwire cloth on windows and other openings.

Rats

ID Clues-

• Often see droppings.
• Tracks are small, sometimes with a tail mark.
• Will attack at any time of day.

Method of Destruction-

• Takes chicks whole.
• Often plucks feathers and bites the hocks of adult birds.
• Usually goes after eggs rather than adult birds.

Places to Predator Proof- Block any small space, gap, or hole in the chicken coop or enclosure. Collect eggs frequently

Bear

ID Clues-

• Tracks are large and will have claw marks.
• Damage to the chicken coop and enclosure.
• Doesn’t often kill small prey like chickens, but attacks have happened occasionally.
• Will generally attack during daylight hours.

Method of Destruction-

• Mass murder. A few eaten.
• Will eat most of the chicken.
• Sometimes will carry off its prey.

Places to Predator Proof- Have an extremely strong and secure chicken coop and enclosure. Install electrical wire around the coop and enclosure.

Opossums

ID Clues-

• Will be able to see frontfoot and hindfoot tracks.
• Hindfoot track has a distinct ‘thumb’ that sticks out away from the rest of the foot.
• Often times you will see a mark with the tracks where their tail drags on the ground.
• Attacks are usually at night. Will return several nights in a row.

Method of Destruction–

• Kills or mauls one bird per visit.
• Bites the legs and breasts. Eats the abdomen and around the vent.
• Does not carry off its kill and will eat it on the spot.

Places to Predator Proof- Have a secure enclosure. Make sure there are no gaps in the roof as opossums will climb up trees to access gaps near the top of the enclosure or coop.

Hawks & Raptors

ID Clues-

• Will only attack during daylight. Spring and fall are the most common times for a hawk attack.
• Can make frequent visits if it has success.
• Will leave evidence of kill if the bird was big. Carries off small birds.

Method of Destruction-

• Lots of scattered feathers are found at hawk attack sights.
• Takes only a single bird per visit.
• Eats breast first.

Places to Predator Proof- Securely cover the coop and enclosure. Supervise free-range time.

Owls

ID Clues-

• Attack at night.
• Will come back several nights in a row.
• Have been known to sneak into chicken coops.

Method of Destruction-

• Will carry off prey if the chicken is not too heavy.
• May eat 1-2 birds per night.
• Eats the head and neck and scatters the feathers.
• Talon wounds will be present in the head if it is not eaten.

Places to Predator Proof- Securely cover the coop and enclosure. Close the birds in their coop at night (you can easily coop train your homestead flock!).

Hopefully by being predator aware and knowing how to properly predator proof your chicken coop, enclosure, and homestead, you should be able to prevent predator issues from becoming a big problem! Having a secure, sturdy coop with a stout, covered enclosure attached to it goes a long way in keeping your flock safe when they are penned up. However, if an attack does happen, predator identification tips will help you identify and deal with the predator before too much damage is done. Keeping your flock safe from predators is a full time job on the homestead!

For more tips on raising homestead chickens, make sure you join our modern pioneer newsletter community! We try to keep you up to date on things you can do to raise a healthy and happy flock of homestead chickens!

by Alexa