15 Birds Vanished?!?

[SolShineMatt]

Sunday night we went out to close the door to the coop and all our birds were gone. We had 15 dual purpose birds that were about 2.5-3 months old. There was no sign of any kind of attack, no blood, feathers, nothing.

We walked around and couldn't find anything until this morning when we found a single leg in a pine grove about 200 yards from our house near a mother fisher and her 3 kits. Clearly they got at least one of the birds, but if they were to be the cause of all the birds death wouldn't there be more evidence at the scene of the crime or even near their den?

Is it possible that our roo ran off to distract them giving the others time to escape and that they're in hiding somewhere on the property? A few weeks ago we had a bird disappear for 4 days and then suddenly just return without warning. Is this typical?

We're really confused. I don't think it's very likely that a person came and took them, we live about a 1/4 of a mile from the road and had more things of value laying around outside that were untouched.

It's just so weird....

 

[Camelot Farms]

Gosh, that is weird. I dont know anything about Fisher Cats and their predatory behaviors.

There is a possibility that some of the hens went into hiding. Certainly no one animal could catch all of them at once if they were free ranging. They would have scattered when the attack happened.

Sadly, I wouldnt count on many of them coming home from the woods once they calm down. Every night that they stay gone is more chances for them to be killed by other predators.

I am sorry for your loss.