Lost 5 in Two Days... And the Plot Thickens... (Update)

[bobbi-j]

I got 6 pullets from a friend 1 1/2 weeks ago. They were just starting to lay (on Sat. there were 5 cute little pullet eggs in the coop). On Sat. we let them out to free range with the rest of the flock (no lectures on quarantining, please - it's a choice I made and that's the end of it). Saturday night they were all back in their coop. Sunday morning everyone went out, Sunday night 5 were in the coop. DH let them out yesterday and went to work at his sister's all day, I was at my job. Everyone present and accounted for last night. Today, DH was around most of the day except for a few hours while out doing fieldwork. Tonight, 4 more of the new pullets are missing. There are no feather piles, no carcasses, so I don't think it's our dog (10 month old Redbone Coonhound mix with history of killing chickens in June, but there was evidence EVERYWHERE). I'm guessing it's most likely a coyote. When I came up to the house and told DH about it, he said, "Well, that maybe explains why they all went running for cover late this afternoon." I guess he looked out his office window and saw them all scattering. But we've seen that anytime any large bird flies over, so it wasn't on his radar to check it out. I find it interesting that it was all the new birds that have disappeared. I don't know if they free ranged where they used to live or not. If not, they maybe just didn't know to run for cover. Needless to day, they'll all be cooped for awhile.

 

[bobbi-j]

I agree that the dog is still young enough to be causing problems. I have been doing some reading on the breed and one thing I read says that Redbones "have canine ADHD". From personal experience, I will not dispute that.

The things that have stuck out the most in this loss is: It was only the new birds (which is why I first suspected the dog), no carcasses found anywhere (causing me to question my first guess of the dog) and the feather piles I've found. I really don't expect him to protect the flock, really, but it would be nice if he'd leave them alone. He did, however, alert DH to the raccoons that were lurking about last summer when he was only 6 months old, so he maybe at least has a sense of knowing what does and doesn't belong here.

My free ranging birds don't go too far from the building site, but the outbuildings are some distance from the house. The area is surrounded by farm fields. Soybeans this year. For the most part, DH is down there in or near his shop-office area. This time of year not so much due to fieldwork. No fences to keep dog from getting near chickens to either protect or attack them. (depending on his mood, maybe) Our fox population has decreased dramatically - haven't seen any either alive or dead on the road - in years since coyote population has increased. I know they're good at snatch-and-run, too. I'm not really expecting the pup to take on a coyote. I'd rather he didn't.

Are the birds scared of the dog? I'm not sure how to answer that. They don't really run away from him, but some are a little jumpy with him around. Others just ignore him.

After keeping my chickens locked up for the past few months, we decided to let them out the other day because it's so nice out and they were all crowded around the run gate. So, out they went and headed directly toward our old, falling-down barn. There is some good, composted manure in there that makes for great scratching, digging and dust bathing. While the chickens were enjoying some dry, snow-free ground, the dog went into the barn with them, just snuffling around. The chickens didn't seem to be the least bit alarmed by his presence, so I am voting coyote as the culprit in the disappearance of my pullets. We did see coyote tracks between the coop and barn, so the chickens will not be out if we're not out and about down there.

 

[minnehaha]

AAAAWWWWW...I am so sorry you lost your pullets.

. My neighbors lost 4 pullets last week to coyotes who dug under the fence. I lost my cat at the same time. I felt so bad for my neighbor that I gave her 4 of my pullets.

 

[bobbi-j]

Well, I thought I had the culprit figured out. I may still have, but I'm not sure. I found a couple of feather piles by the house where the dog likes to drag his "treasures" and chew on them. But not nearly enough feathers for 5 birds, and no carcasses. I found a trail of feathers - not many, but mostly downy type ones going from the area where they range into the soybean field right next to the area. On the other side of this field (I'm terrible at measurements, so I have no idea how far - maybe the length of a few city blocks) is a slough where we have, in the past, chased coyotes out while deer hunting. So now I'm torn between "It was the dog" and "It was coyotes". I did have coyotes wipe out 5 or so in a day last year while we were on vacation. I know for sure it was them because we didn't have a dog at the time. Opinions, anyone? I still find it suspicious that it was only the new ones. That's the main reason I was thinking dog. He has not bothered the chickens that were here when we got him, or the ones that were hatched on the place - thanks to broody mamas. But the ones he killed in June were meat birds that were shipped to us. And he did show some interest in these new pullets, too. So, go ahead and tell me what you think. Centrarchid, I'd be especially interested in your opinion.

 

[speckledhen]

I'm very sorry, bobbi. Sounds like could be a combination of coyote and your dog getting a carcass left by the coyote maybe. But, I'm no expert, just going on your evidence you stated.

 

[CrazyTalk]

I wouldn't read too much into the feathers in the dog's happy place - my dog isn't outside more than 2 minutes before he has a goose feather in his mouth - they're tasty. He doesn't chase or bother the geese (they chase and bother him) or other fowl.

 

[aart]

Well, I thought I had the culprit figured out. I may still have, but I'm not sure. I found a couple of feather piles by the house where the dog likes to drag his "treasures" and chew on them. But not nearly enough feathers for 5 birds, and no carcasses. I found a trail of feathers - not many, but mostly downy type ones going from the area where they range into the soybean field right next to the area. On the other side of this field (I'm terrible at measurements, so I have no idea how far - maybe the length of a few city blocks) is a slough where we have, in the past, chased coyotes out while deer hunting. So now I'm torn between "It was the dog" and "It was coyotes". I did have coyotes wipe out 5 or so in a day last year while we were on vacation. I know for sure it was them because we didn't have a dog at the time. Opinions, anyone? I still find it suspicious that it was only the new ones. That's the main reason I was thinking dog. He has not bothered the chickens that were here when we got him, or the ones that were hatched on the place - thanks to broody mamas. But the ones he killed in June were meat birds that were shipped to us. And he did show some interest in these new pullets, too. So, go ahead and tell me what you think. Centrarchid, I'd be especially interested in your opinion.

Calling @centrarchid for you.

Bummer bobbi-j, so sorry. Wonder if because the new chooks were unfamiliar with the place, maybe didn't pay attention to hearing something that didn't belong that the long time residents would have?

 

[speckledhen]

Any updates, Bobbi?

 

[bobbi-j]

Any updates, Bobbi?

Thanks for asking - no updates. I still haven't found any carcasses, and it's been warm enough her that there should be an odor by now if they were just laying about. So, the thoughts are that they were either carried off, or it was the dog and he buried them. The chickens are still locked up for now. I figure another week or so, and I'll start letting the now two flocks out on alternating days, making sure the dog is kenneled anytime they're out and we won't be around. If they still disappear, at least we know that it's not the dog... The flock got separated to this year's crop of chicks plus two one-year olds from last year, and the "old" girls (2 1/2 year olds). I figure it'll make it easier that way when it comes time to thin the flock. Torn about the roosters, though. The "old" guy is in with the hens, the new one that I like is with the pullets. What I'd really like is if I could keep them both...

 

[speckledhen]

Quote: Ah, I hear ya. I've been there so many times with rooster decisions.

I hope you solve the mystery soon. Seems like if the dog buried something, he'd have dug it up again for "seconds", as they sometimes do. Just thought I'd check in with you on this one.