A bobcat took one of my four chickens a few days ago. I live on Florida's east coast. For the past 15 months since my chickens were 8 weeks old I have let them free range in my large backyard surrounded by a 6 ft. stockade fenced yard from around 7am to 7pm. The other day I let them out of their run at 7am as usual, about 30 minutes later while sitting at my table I heard a chicken in distress, by the time I ran 10 feet to the sliding glass door I saw a bobcat jump to the top of the fence with my Gypsy in his mouth. I grabbed a shovel and ran into the woods after the trail of white feathers but couldn't find them.
So now my chickens have to stay in their 10x10 run unless someone can be outside with them. My 10 year old boxer has a new job as chicken guard, which he is not happy about. He doesn't want to hang out outside for very long. He's usually a couch potato. We have him stay out with the chickens in the morning until it gets too hot and then for about an hour before dark. Hopefully he will get used to his new job and the chickens will get used to staying in the run more. They used to only go in the coop at night or to lay eggs and in the run when they wanted to eat.
So now my chickens have to stay in their 10x10 run unless someone can be outside with them. My 10 year old boxer has a new job as chicken guard, which he is not happy about. He doesn't want to hang out outside for very long. He's usually a couch potato. We have him stay out with the chickens in the morning until it gets too hot and then for about an hour before dark. Hopefully he will get used to his new job and the chickens will get used to staying in the run more. They used to only go in the coop at night or to lay eggs and in the run when they wanted to eat.
