This inclination can be heightened by the presence of other dogs, often resulting in pack behavior. Some breeds have a greater tendency to chase prey than others. Factors that contribute to the likelihood that a dog will attack a flock include the breed of the dog, the presence of other dogs, and the dog’s past experiences. In fact, some breeds are good guard dogs for a flock. Not all dogs will attack a poultry flock. Dogs descended from the wolf and have retained some of the hunting instinct of this predecessor. They often kill simply for the fun of it. Dogs and Coyotes Footprints of dogs and coyotesĭomestic dogs allowed to run free in a neighborhood can be a problem for poultry flocks. Knowledge of predator behavior provides background you can use as you try to identify and address predators of your flock. To understand how and why various animals attack poultry flocks, it can be helpful to know more about their behaviors. The images of tracks shown in the next section of this article may help you identify a predator. To view tracks more easily, put fine sand or talc powder around the area, and look for tracks the following day. In addition to examining the condition of your flock, you may be able to identify tracks of a predator that is a mammal. If eggs are missing, one of several predators-including skunks, snakes, rats, opossums, raccoons, blue jays, and crows-may be at fault.If birds have bites and show signs that their intestines have been removed through their cloacae, the attacker may be a member of the weasel family or cannibalism may be occurring in the flock. Bites on the hocks of young birds often indicate that rats have preyed on the flock. If the wounds are on the breasts or legs of young birds, an opossum may be the problem. Dogs do not have sharp enough teeth to consume animals cleanly. If birds show signs of bites all over, a dog may have attacked the flock. If birds are only wounded, not dead, various predators may be to blame. ![]() Also, raccoons may work together, with one scaring the chickens to the far end of a pen and the other picking off the birds’ heads. Raccoons sometimes pull a bird’s head through the wires of an enclosure and then can eat only the head, leaving the majority of the body behind. If birds are dead and not eaten but are missing their heads, the predator may be a raccoon, a hawk, or an owl.Also, you might notice that internal organs have been eaten. If birds are dead but not eaten and have parts still intact, a weasel may have attacked the flock.Such predators sometimes leave some feathers and wings scattered away from the site because they are not able to swallow these parts. If chicks are missing but no other signs of disturbance exist, the culprit may be a snake, a rat, a raccoon, or a house cat. ![]() Hawks typically take chickens during the day, whereas owls take them during the night. These predators typically are able to kill, pick up, and carry off an adult chicken. If adult birds are missing but no other signs of disturbance exist, the predator probably is a dog, a coyote, a fox, a bobcat, a hawk, or an owl.Often, the condition in which you find your flock is an indicator of which predator is involved. To develop an exclusion plan, you need to determine which type of animal is preying on your birds. ![]() Of course, this tactic is easier said than done. The best long-term solution for protecting your flock is preventing predators from getting to it.
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