Well I had forgotten about an old heavy plastic sandbox/pool that used to be my kids, that we stored away outside. So we got it out, cleaned it up, and filled it up with water. They have all had to check it out. Some just like to sit around the edge and look around, where the other's figured out...
We've had the very same problem, and the only thing that we can think of, depending on the time of day, would be a hawk or an owl. Most of ours disappear at night though, so I assume there's a big old nest somewhere with some fat baby owls in it, as well as the hunter itself.
Since it seems that Kentucky is headed for a drought and a very hot summer, I've been wondering if there would be anything wrong with buying a small, hard plastic, baby pool for my chickens? For the purpose of the drinking when they are outdoors free ranging, and for preening their feathers as...