[jonaxe]

Hi,

We've lost 2 chickens on separate nights this week. Both had wounds beneath wings and down towards thighs.

I thought the first might have been a cockerel related accident but the 2nd was seen to go to bed healthy and do it happened in a closed ciop. (90% sure).

I know there are rats about and quite often see one squeeze out through a narrow gap in the closed coop door as I shut it.

Do you think this is likely rats or something else?

Thanks,

Jon

Ps. Adopted 3 feral kittens a few months back but they aren't grown enough yet to impact the population.

[bj_cardiff]

I think its more likely to be a mink, stoat or polecat type of attack.

[Fleecewife]

Deal with the rat problem as it could be them, then make sure every tiny access point is covered.  Mustelids can squeeze themselves in through the very tiniest gaps, including quite small mesh.  They can also climb up to the roof and perhaps get in that way.  If a rat can squeeze in, so can a stoat or more particularly a weasel.  Sounds like you need a new hen house!

[jonaxe]

Ahh, this is a pretty decent henhouse but I've added some metal strips to the door frame that will hopefully help.  Tried stretching the range of my Amazon blink security cams but just too fat.  Thanks all. Jon

[harmony]

Mink, stoat and weasel go for the heads and crop. They are also unlikely not to attack everything in the shed in one go. Agree with Fleecewife that it could be a rat. You should eradicate the rats not only for the health of your chickens but your own too. I'm not sure your feral kittens can get in I wouldn't rule them out. It sounds at though something reached up to the perch to cause injury to those areas before they dragged it down.