![]() Rectal prolapse after egg passage may attract pecking to the bright red exposed tissue. Another cause of wounds to the vent or cloaca can be the result of cannibalism from other chickens in the flock. Some birds can be found walking around, dragging their intestines. Weasels and their relatives, and opossums, may attack the vent region, pulling out the intestines. ![]() Birds with lacerations near the cloaca or vent If birds are kept in a mesh-style pen, raccoons are able to reach nearby, unsuspecting birds and pull their legs off. Raccoons are notorious for their hand skills and intelligence. Raccoons will reach through openings, grabbing and ripping off the bird’s head through the meshing and wire caging. Birds of prey can scare birds and cause them to jump or fly up, allowing their heads to protrude through the meshing. This occurs when birds are kept in a pen enclosed by loose meshing. ![]() Foxes, skunks, opossums, jays, and crows often leave shells of consumed eggs behind. Missing or damaged eggs may be caused by skunks, snakes, rats, opossums, raccoons, coyotes, foxes, blue jays, and crows. Unprotected nests are easy targets for predators. Most predators of poultry will kill and remove chicks, often without any signs of disturbance, especially if the attack occurs at night. Missing eggs or chicks-opossums, skunks, rats, cats, snakes, coyotes, foxes, and birds of prey Bobcats typically hunt during the hours of dawn and dusk, but can attack any time of day. Feathers and a few scattered pieces may be left behind after dog, coyote, and fox attacks. Coyotes are active night and day, though when living in urban areas amongst humans, they are more active at night. Often, domestic dogs will not eat the birds, and the carcass may be found in close proximity to the site of attack. Patterns of Predation Missing adult birds-coyotes, bobcats, dogs, birds of prey, and foxesįor birds of prey, hawks will take birds during the day whereas, owls will take birds during the night. Domestic animals, such as dogs and cats, can also be predators of poultry. ![]() Predators include coyotes, foxes, bobcats, weasels and their relatives, birds of prey, racoons, opossums, skunks, rodents, and snakes. Younger, smaller birds are also more susceptible. Chicken flocks are often more prone than turkey flocks, due to the size of birds. PredatorsĪ number of different predator species can cause damage and economic losses on poultry flocks. Flocks are at the highest risk, especially during the night, if they are not provided with predator-proof housing. Organic operations are also prone to predation if birds are raised free-range, where they are allowed to graze. In addition, they may not be housed at all, allowing the birds to free-range and take cover under existing structures. Commercial flocks are at risk from small predators and birds of prey when the building structures are not maintained.īackyard flocks, maintained by small farmers, hobbyists, and youth, are usually housed in a variety of facility types that may or may not offer secure predator protection. These buildings are usually constructed with concrete foundations and a complete roof, and open areas are enclosed by fine net-meshing (i.e., broilers and turkeys) or enclosed entirely by metal siding (i.e., layers). The reason for this difference is in the way flocks are housed and managed.Ĭommercial poultry producers maintain flocks within buildings for their entire production cycle. However, predation is a big concern for backyard flocks and organic poultry producers. Predation is not common in commercial poultry production.
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