3 birds missing

[Nlhockey23]

About 7 o'clock tonight I was outside and all 14 birds were outside. Went down at about 815 to close the coop up and my rooster plus two hens are gone. No sign of struggle and all the others seem fine. I walked our whole property and there is no sign of them anywhere. I almost think someone stole them because they are different looking birds. Any ideas

 

[Nlhockey23]

There are 2 of them

 

[db1113]

Oh no! I can't imagine someone taking my boys and girls. Are they free range or fenced in?

 

[smfarman]

About 7 o'clock tonight I was outside and all 14 birds were outside. Went down at about 815 to close the coop up and my rooster plus two hens are gone. No sign of struggle and all the others seem fine. I walked our whole property and there is no sign of them anywhere. I almost think someone stole them because they are different looking birds. Any ideas

I am saddened to think that someone would steal chickens, but the sad fact is that it does happen. Last night I lost 11 - 8 week old chicks their first night outside in the run/coop to someone. My 4 Barred Rocks, 4 Golden Laced Wyandottes and 3 Silver laced wyandottes, I have installed padlocks today on the coop, run and nesting boxes and hopefully the 8 chicks I have left will be safe.

 

[aart]

I almost think someone stole them because they are different looking birds.

How likely is it that someone came onto your property and caught 3 birds without you hearing anything?

 

[cmom]

@Nlhockey23 and @db1113, I noticed you are fairly new BYC members. @Nlhockey23 do you have a game camera? I have game cameras set up in different places on my property. Most nights especially, I see a predator. A couple of years ago I noticed things starting to come up missing. I got the thief on camera. Good luck...

 

[Nlhockey23]

Well I came to the conclusion it's a fox. Found 3 piles of feathers down a little ways from the house. I'm setting up the game camera now to see exactly what's going on

 

[Nlhockey23]

They do free range all day. I haven't lost any for a year and a half but now 3 in one day

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

They do free range all day. I haven't lost any for a year and a half but now 3 in one day

If you dont have a secure run, build one now......time to pen securely until you address the predator issue, it will be back

 

[Nlhockey23]

I have one. I just liked to let them out because the ticks are bad around here