I let my girls out to free range when I am home. We have a small, fenced-in yard without much open space, except in the very back where there is maybe a 40' x 40' open space. We live in a pretty urban part of town, but you know how south Georgia is, lots of trees and underbrush. I have 8 (now 7) large breed chickens.
Yesterday evening, right before dusk, I was inside doing dishes and heard a commotion. I ran out back, and saw all of the chickens, and my two cats, running around like crazy. I could tell there was no stray dog, etc, just a lot of squawking and running. It looked like maybe the cats were being frisky (they will sometimes make a run at the chickens) so I figured that was going on and went back in. A couple of hours later, I went to shut the coop and found that my favorite girl, my Buckeye, was AWOL.
I found a pile of small feathers from her in the clearing in the yard. I note they were small, because they looked like back feathers. There was no other entrails, parts, etc, just the poof of feathers.
I can't think what else would leave only a poof of feathers, that would get her during the day, that would be in a pretty urban area (we do have racoons and possums, but not foxes, coyotes, etc). I think maybe hawk? Input appreciated, I am going to keep them locked up till I figure out what else to do.
Yesterday evening, right before dusk, I was inside doing dishes and heard a commotion. I ran out back, and saw all of the chickens, and my two cats, running around like crazy. I could tell there was no stray dog, etc, just a lot of squawking and running. It looked like maybe the cats were being frisky (they will sometimes make a run at the chickens) so I figured that was going on and went back in. A couple of hours later, I went to shut the coop and found that my favorite girl, my Buckeye, was AWOL.
I found a pile of small feathers from her in the clearing in the yard. I note they were small, because they looked like back feathers. There was no other entrails, parts, etc, just the poof of feathers.
I can't think what else would leave only a poof of feathers, that would get her during the day, that would be in a pretty urban area (we do have racoons and possums, but not foxes, coyotes, etc). I think maybe hawk? Input appreciated, I am going to keep them locked up till I figure out what else to do.
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