15 missing marans

[justfreeman]

I really hate that this is my first post in this forum. I had 15 10ish week old cuckoo maran chicks go missing some time between 8:30pm last night and 6:30am this morning.

I kept the chicks in an elevated coop with plastic mesh hardware cloth bottom. When putting the chicks up last night, I had to catch one and put back in which resulted in me accidentally breaking my gate AND leaving their pop hole door open. So I understand that whatever took my chicks had the opportunity due to my negligence. I am completely heartbroken over the loss, but I am curious as to what might be able to take 15 chickens (10ish weeks old) with out a trace. We have had hawks take one or two and dogs kill, but never anything just take them and leave no trace. It is worth noting that we have other chicks and grown chickens out unprotected and they were not bothered.

Thank you for any insight you can provide,

Justin

 

[heartsizedfarm]

Maybe they just walked out themselves and took off? Ask your neighbours if they've seen them?

 

[justfreeman]

My father has walked all through the woods around his property and mine. We are surrounded by woods on 3 sides. There is no trace of them or anything else.

Would fox make multiple trips? Fox is the only thing that I can think of that would be light enough not to destroy the coop and that would carry the chicks away.

 

[heartsizedfarm]

True. Fox is probably your best bet. But weird that there's not one or two left, or some sign of a struggle. Fox is not going to waltz into the coop and say now line up ladies, I'll be taking fifteen of you before the night is out so just chill.

 

[justfreeman]

It is pretty freaky for sure. Put out a live trap in the coop tonight, but whatever it was may not be hungry for a while. Guess I'll just have to move to a more predator resistant system when I get over this and look at getting more chicks.

 

[Mpks92]

Sounds like a family of coons. There very sneaky, and a entire family can wipe out several adults let alone juveniles.