P r e d a t o r s o f P o u l t r y

4/5/2019 Predators of Poultry | Ohioline

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extension.osu.edu

vet.osu.edu

VME-22

Veterinary Preventive Medicine

Date: 12/20/2018

Timothy McDermott, DVM, Extension Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources,

Franklin County

Marne Titchenell, Wildlife Program Specialist

Predators of Poultry

Predation is not common in commercial poultry production. However, predation is a

big concern for backyard flocks and organic poultry producers. The reason for this

difference is in the way flocks are housed and managed.

Commercial poultry producers maintain flocks within buildings for their entire

production cycle. 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). Commercial flocks are

at risk from small predators and birds of prey when the building structures are not

maintained.

Backyard 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. In addition, they may not be housed at all, allowing the birds to free-

range and take cover under existing structures. Organic operations are also prone

to predation if birds are raised free-range, where they are allowed to graze. Flocks

are at the highest risk, especially during the night, if they are not provided with

predator-proof housing.

Predators

A number of different predator species can cause damage and economic losses on

poultry flocks. Chicken flocks are often more prone than turkey flocks, due to the

size of birds. Younger, smaller birds are also more susceptible. Predators include

coyotes, foxes, bobcats, weasels and their relatives, birds of prey, racoons,



opossums, skunks, rodents, and snakes. Domestic animals, such as dogs and cats,

can also be predators of poultry.

Patterns of Predation

Missing adult birds—coyotes, bobcats, dogs, birds of prey, andfoxes

For birds of prey, hawks will take birds during the day; whereas, owls will take birds

during the night. Often, domestic dogs will not eat the birds, and the carcass may be

found in close proximity to the site of attack. Coyotes are active night and day,

though when living in urban areas amongst humans, they are more active at night.

Feathers and a few scattered pieces may be left behind after dog, coyote, and fox

attacks. Bobcats typically hunt during the hours of dawn and dusk, but can attack

any time of day.

Missing eggs or chicks—opossums, skunks, rats, cats, snakes,coyotes, foxes, and birds of prey

Most predators of poultry will kill and remove chicks, often without any signs of

disturbance, especially if the attack occurs at night. Unprotected nests are easy

targets for predators. Missing or damaged eggs may be caused by skunks, snakes,

rats, opossums, raccoons, coyotes, foxes, blue jays, and crows. Foxes, skunks,

opossums, jays, and crows often leave shells of consumed eggs behind.

Missing heads—birds of prey and raccoons

This occurs when birds are kept in a pen enclosed by loose meshing. Birds of prey

can scare birds and cause them to jump or fly up, allowing their heads to protrude

through the meshing. Raccoons will reach through openings, grabbing and ripping

off the bird’s head through the meshing and wire caging.

Missing limbs—raccoons

Raccoons are notorious for their hand skills and intelligence. If birds are kept in a

mesh-style pen, raccoons are able to reach nearby, unsuspecting birds and pull their

legs off.



Birds with lacerations near the cloaca or vent

Weasels and their relatives, and opossums, may attack the vent region, pulling out

the intestines. Some birds can be found walking around, dragging their intestines.

Another cause of wounds to the vent or cloaca can be the result of cannibalism from

other chickens in the flock. Rectal prolapse after egg passage may attract pecking to

the bright red exposed tissue.

Birds found dead with other injuries

Poultry are known to 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 the ones below.

Birds killed by weasels are found bloody with the internal organs missing or partially

consumed. Occasionally, weasels kill birds without eating them. Birds are typically

killed with a bite(s) to the base of the skull, severing the spinal cord. Skunks and

opossums may kill adult birds messily, with damaged bodies remaining. Raccoons

attack birds’ head, breast, and crop and may consume the entrails.

Companion Animals

Cats, both feral and domestic, will prey on chicks, often removing them with no signs

of damage or debris present. It would be unusual for a cat to prey on an adult

chicken unless it was wounded or injured. Dogs may prey on both adult chickens or

chicks depending on breed or temperament. Livestock guard dogs have been used

successfully to protect both coops and free-range flocks from predators if trained to

this task.

Prevention of Predation

The primary way to prevent predation is to fortify the coop against predators. This

should be the goal of all poultry keepers. Sturdy fencing, overhead protection from

wild birds and birds of prey plus addressing any holes or entry points will

dramatically decrease the chance of a predator affecting the flock, as well as

provide excellent biosecurity. Trapping or hunting of predators may be an option

depending on local rules and regulations. Additional options are listed below:

Motion sensor lights and sound equipment—these are short-term solutions that

can be used during the interim until other options (i.e., trapping, exclusion) can

be implemented to protect flocks.

Remove/secure all food attractants—garbage, pet food, livestock feed, fallen

fruit from trees, and other available foods can serve as an attractant to many

predators. Once there, predators may seek out other sources of food, such as

poultry.

Seek assistance from wildlife professionals.



Ohiolinehttps://ohioline.osu.edu

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Copyright © 2018, The Ohio State University

Acknowledgments: The authors would like to thank Dr. Donald Burton of the Ohio

Wildlife Center and Mr. Micheal Pogany of the Columbus Zoo for the use of their

photos. Cat photo by Pixaby.

Original authors: Aaron J. Ison, B.S., Avian Disease Investigation Laboratory, Sara J.

Spiegle, B.S., Avian Disease Investigation Laboratory, Teresa Y. Morishita, DVM,

Ph.D., Dipl. ACPV, OSU Extension–Veterinary Medicine and Avian Disease

Investigation Laboratory. (Originally published in 2005.)

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