Chicken Predators

Birds of a feather flock together, but there isn’t always safety in numbers. Especially when it comes to chickens and predators.

Chickens, especially those found in backyards or raised free-range, are prey birds. They are susceptible to predatory animals—both wild and domestic—attacking them during both daytime and nighttime hours.  

At Backyard Boost®, we know that backyard chickens can be an important part of your family. “The girls” look forward to your return home from work in the afternoon as much as you enjoy telling them all about your day. They can be fun companions when you’re gardening, doing projects for your kids, or being a source of entertainment on a nice day. You can enjoy a glass of wine while they peck away in the grass.

But more than just being great companions, your feathered friends help you out around the home. They provide eggs for your family. They also serve as natural pest control and provide garden fertilizer. That is why our team created this blog—so you can learn more about chicken predators.

We want you to be aware so you don’t have to prematurely say farewell to your feathered friends.

A Quick Warning

When planning this blog, our goal was to provide an educational resource that could help people better protect their backyards and identify chicken predators in the area. Unfortunately, this requires us to detail the aftermath of attacks on a flock. That way, you can understand what to look for and what it might mean. These descriptions aren’t always pretty.

If you’re not a fan of reading about violence—or upset at the prospect of picturing your feathery friends being hurt—approach this blog with caution.

Daytime Chicken Predators 

Daytime chicken predators can pose a significant threat to backyard chickens, and each predator tends to leave behind specific signs of their attacks. We’ve compiled a list of common daytime predators and the significant signs they leave behind. 

Hawks 

Red-tailed, Red-shouldered, and Cooper’s hawks are the most likely to prey on your poultry flock. Hawks have very keen eyesight. Due to their size and strength, they can often swoop down and pick up a chicken with their talons.  

Signs of Attack 

• Missing chickens with no trace. 

• Feathers scattered around the area where the chicken was last seen. 

• If the chicken is too heavy to carry off, it might be killed on the spot. Chickens will sustain injuries to the head, neck or back. 

• The remains might be left partially eaten. 

Foxes 

Foxes usually attack poultry at the throat, but some kill by multiple bites to the neck and back. Normally, when a fox is in a hen house, the evidence includes only a few drops of blood and feathers. The fox carries away the dead bird, often to its den in the woods.  

Foxes also eat eggs. They usually open the eggs just enough to lick out the contents and leave the shells beside the nest. 

Signs of Attack 

• Entire chickens or multiple birds are missing. 

• Feathers scattered along a trail where the fox carried the bird away, usually leading to a den. 

• If the fox can’t carry the chicken, it might be left dead with bite marks around the neck and puncture wounds. 

• Look for digging under fencing or gaps where the predator might have entered. 

Dogs 

Although dogs are man’s best friend, they find great sport in attacking chickens. Often, they are just in it for the hunt, and the dogs won’t actually eat the chickens. That’s why ensuring your dog is comfortable around the birds (and vice versa) and that they don’t play with your flock is always important.

Of course, some pups are well-trained to protect the birds in their yard. If that’s your pooch, you’ve nothing to worry about. But if your dog isn’t trained for that, it can cause more harm than good to leave them alone with your backyard gals.

Signs of Attack 

• Chickens are killed but not eaten, often with multiple birds left dead. 

• Feathers and bodies may be scattered over a wide area due to the dog chasing and killing for sport. 

• Visible injuries may include broken necks or bodies crushed by bites. 

Bobcats 

Like any cat, bobcats are natural hunters. They prefer to hunt at dawn or dusk when the sunlight tends to camouflage them. 

Signs of Attack 

• Chickens might be killed and partially eaten, often with the breast or thigh meat consumed. 

• Feathers around the attack site, with the body sometimes dragged a short distance. 

• Bobcats typically carry their prey to a secluded spot so that you may find remains away from the coop. 

Cats 

Cats tend to prey on small chicks or sick or smaller chickens. They don’t typically pick on a chicken that is their size or larger. 

Signs of Attack 

• Missing chicks or smaller chickens. 

• Some scattered feathers around the area or coop if the chicks are feisty. 

Humans 

Now, we here at Backyard Boost like to believe most people are well-intentioned, respectful, decent folks. Unfortunately, not everyone treats birds with the love and decency they deserve. We’ve heard far too many stories about neighborhood kids kicking birds, passers-by messing with hens, or family members throwing things at chicks minding their own business. It only felt right to acknowledge humans can also pose a threat to your backyard birds. 

Signs of Attack 

• Chickens missing with no signs of struggle or entry by an animal. 

• Coop locks or doors tampered with, possibly cut or picked. 

• Items like feed, tools, or other equipment may also be missing. 

Nocturnal Chicken Predators 

Nighttime chicken predators pose a substantial threat to the flock, often attacking during the night when the birds are roosting and less aware of the danger. We’ve compiled a list of common nocturnal chicken predators and the signs of attack they typically leave behind: 

Coyotes 

Coyotes will usually travel in large groups called packs; however, they prefer to hunt in pairs. Although they used to be more of a daytime animal, human pressure has pushed them to become more nocturnal. They are also becoming more prevalent in urban areas, not just rural settings. 

Signs of Attack 

• Similar to foxes, multiple chickens can be missing entirely. 

• Feathers scattered in a trail leading away from the coop. 

• Coyotes may carry the chickens far from the coop, leaving little evidence behind. 

Owls 

Owls are most active at night, and that is when they hunt or prey on other animals. The great horned owl is the most common predator of chickens. Barn owls and screech owls don’t typically bother poultry flocks. 

Signs of Attack 

• Chickens with missing heads or necks. 

• Feathers scattered around the coop or run, often with minimal other damage. 

• Birds may be found dead with their heads missing, as owls often target the head or neck region. 

Skunks 

Skunks rarely kill many adult chickens; however, they can cause significant damage. They might kill one or two chickens, then maul several others. Skunks love eggs and will poke their nose through them to lick out the contents. 

Signs of Attack 

• Eggs are missing or partially eaten, with eggshells left behind. 

• Chickens may be killed with bites around the neck or head, but skunks often target eggs more than adult chickens. 

• Strong, distinctive odor near the coop or run after an attack. 

Minks 

Minks are aquatic relatives of the weasel and like to bite the heads off of chickens. In addition to serving as a chicken predator, they also like to crush the eggs. 

Signs of Attack 

• Multiple chickens are killed in a single attack, often with bite marks around the neck or head. 

• Birds may have their blood drained with minimal consumption of the meat. 

• There is evidence of entry through very small gaps or holes. Minks are similar to weasels in their ability to squeeze through tight spaces. 

Rodents (Rats) 

Rats can be a problem in both urban and rural areas. Not only do rats like to eat eggs and attack your chicken, they also carry diseases and they attract chicken predators – snakes. 

Signs of Attack 

• Eggs or young chicks are missing or partially eaten. 

• Bite marks on the legs, toes, or other exposed areas of roosting chickens. 

• Signs of gnawing on wooden parts of the coop or feed containers. 

Predators that Attack Anytime  

Some chicken predators don’t have a preference if they take on the flock in the daytime or at night. They simply want to attack your backyard birds and your eggs. Here is a list of predators that you should be aware of regardless of the time of day. 

Raccoons 

Racoons will enter and kill several chickens, steal eggs, and remove them from the coop. Especially in urban areas, raccoons are attracted to trash cans and compost piles, so it is best to have those far away from your coop. 

Signs of Attack 

• Chickens killed and left behind with their heads missing since raccoons tend to bite off the head and eat it. 

• Feathers scattered around the coop or run. 

• Signs of forced entry, such as torn wire or opened latches. Raccoons are known for their dexterity with their little “hands.” 

• If they gain access to the coop, multiple chickens may be killed, sometimes with only the crop or internal organs eaten. 

Snakes 

Snakes rarely leave evidence, as they eat their prey in its entirety. This includes eggs and baby chicks, usually less than one month old.  

Signs of Attack 

• Missing eggs or small chicks, with little to no evidence left behind. 

• Larger snakes may leave regurgitated remains if the prey is too large to digest. 

• Shed snake skins might be found near or inside the coop. 

Opossums 

Opossums are omnivores and eat birds, fish, insects, mushrooms, fruits, vegetables and even eggs. When an opossum attacks a chicken coop, it usually kills one bird at a time, often causing great damage to its victims.  

Signs of Attack 

• Eggs missing, with eggshells left behind. 

• Signs of an attack include bites around the breast or thighs and possible decapitation. 

• A big mess left behind. 

Weasels 

The least weasel is one of the smallest chicken predators, but it needs to eat 4 times its body weight daily, so it is always on the hunt. Due to its small size, it can squeeze through 1/4-inch openings, like chicken wire.  

Signs of Attack 

• Chickens are killed with minimal evidence of a struggle. 

• Bite marks typically around the neck, often with small, precise puncture wounds. 

• Weasels might kill multiple chickens in a single attack, drinking their blood but not consuming much meat. 

Backyard Boost Keeps Chickens Healthy 

As much as we’d like to say Backyard Boost can single-handedly safeguard your birds, we can’t. It would be irresponsible to pretend our supplements will ensure your birds don’t get attacked by would-be predators. However, a fundamental part of protecting your pets is keeping them healthy. And THAT we can do!

A healthy chicken is more likely to fight off a potential predator or simply evade them. Even better, physically healthy birds are less appealing targets to opportunistic carnivores.

When you feed your birds the right way, you’re helping them live longer, happier lives. That’s true with regards to their health and wellness, AND their safety. That’s why we’re so passionate about our readers feeding Backyard Boost products to their feathered friends. 

The Final Word 

Keep your flock safe and out of the way of chicken predators. Make sure your coop is secured with no gaps or holes. Close your chickens in each night, using latches that raccoons can’t open. For additional protection, we recommend using hardware cloth rather than chicken wire. 

Finally, install motion-activated lights. While it won’t work for every would-be chicken predator, these can help deter nocturnal animals from approaching the coop. 

Get your Backyard Boost Today!    

A healthier bird is a bird better equipped to evade chicken predators, and less likely to be preyed upon in the first place. So, provide your flock with eco-friendly nutrition from Backyard Boost today.  Get your hands on industry-leading backyard chicken supplements now!    

Ordering Backyard Boost is simple: purchase via our online store or from one of our online retail partners.     

Perhaps you prefer to shop in person. Our Where to Buy tool can help you find the BioZyme retailer closest to you.  

Stay In the Know 

New to keeping a flock and looking for more educational resources? Use our Chicken Care Cycle as your guide to all things backyard chicken care. 

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