Signs and Prevention of Poultry Predators

In our area, there are many different predators that can easily prey on poultry if given the opportunity. This list includes coyotes, raccoons, foxes, weasels, birds of prey, opossums, skunks, rodents, snakes, and domestic animals like dogs and cats. Chickens are most vulnerable to predators due to their size. Turkeys and large ducks are less prone to predation. Younger and smaller birds are also more likely to be preyed upon.

Signs of Predation

Since poultry owners don’t usually witness an attack, the only clue to the type of predator is the pattern it leaves on the flock.

Birds are missing — coyotes, dogs, birds of prey, fox, raccoon. Hawks will take birds during the day. Owls take birds at night. Coyotes and fox will remove the birds. Domestic dogs will not eat the birds at the site of the attack. Scattered feathers in an area may be a sign of birds that have panicked. Birds frightened by predators may be found dead in a pile from smothering each other. Raccoons may take several birds in one night. The breast and crop can be torn and chewed, and the entrails sometimes are eaten. There may be bits of flesh near water.

Missing heads — birds of prey and raccoons. Poultry enclosed in pens made of loose meshing are easy prey. Birds of prey can scare birds and cause them to jump or fly up, allowing their heads to protrude through the meshing. Birds of prey will then grab the heads. Raccoons can also reach through openings grabbing and ripping off the bird’s head through the meshing and wire caging. Weasels and minks will kill many birds and eat only the heads.

Missing limbs — raccoons. Raccoons are known for their nimble paws and intelligence. If birds are kept in a mesh-style pen, raccoons are able to reach nearby, unsuspecting birds and pull their legs off.

Missing eggs or chicks — opossums, skunks, rats, cats, snakes, and birds of prey. Opossums and skunks prey at night. Free-range birds and birds in unprotected nests are easy targets for these predators. Rats can carry away day-old chicks and can also bite older birds in the hock joint, which can cause a swelling and infection. Snakes will consume small birds and eggs whole.

Birds with lacerations near the cloaca — weasels, mink. Weasels bite at the vent region, pulling out the intestines. Some birds can be found walking around, dragging their intestines. Weasels and their relatives also kill for fun, which can leave scattered feathers with bloody or torn carcasses.

Mauled birds, eggs raided — opossums, skunks. Opossums will raid poultry houses, usually killing one chicken at a time, often mauling the victim. Eggs will be mashed and messy, the shells often chewed into small pieces and left in the nest. Opossums usually begin feeding on poultry at the cloacal opening. Young poultry or game birds are consumed entirely and only a few wet feathers left. Skunks will kill one or two birds and maul them. When skunks raid nests, the eggs are usually opened at one end; the edges are crushed as the skunk punches its nose into the hole to lick out the contents. The eggs may appear to have been hatched, except for the edges. Weasels and minks will raid nests for eggs. They eat the eggs by breaking in on the ends.

Here are some other signs of predation:

Birds, usually turkeys, found dead in enclosed corners. Turkeys will huddle in an area away from open sides to avoid predators that may be stalking around the perimeter. The weight of the huddled birds is enough to suffocate and/or crush the birds below.

Birds found with missing feathers and abrasions. Cats may prey upon large birds, but are usually unsuccessful.

Birds, usually layers, with wounds found around the vent region. Although this can be predation of some kind, this may also be the result of cannibalism if a bird has a prolapsed rectum after passing an egg. Chickens will be attracted to the bright red tissue and will peck at it, causing wounds.

Prevention of Predation

The easiest way to protect flocks from predation is to keep flocks secure within buildings. However, for the majority of backyard flocks and organic flocks, this isn’t desirable. The next best tool for these small flocks is prevention. Build predator resistant fences and poultry coops/houses. Lock your birds up at night and maintain a vigilant eye. Open poultry houses should be enclosed by fine meshing to prevent entry by wild birds.

(By Soni Cochran, UNL Extension Associate)