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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)
