Over the past few months, we have lost 8 hens during daylight hours and I'd like your input on the scenarios as we are clearly dealing with multiple predators. Our birds usually free-range, but they were confined after each death for 5 day-2 weeks depending on the weather.
Initially, one bird (Rhode Island Red, Wyandotte, Easter Egger) disappeared once every 1-2 weeks with nothing but a pile of feathers in a weedy area behind the grain bin. Our neighbor saw the feathers, so I can only relate his statement that there was no meat, no organs, no bones - but seemingly all of the feathers. This is inconsistent with a hawk, from my experience, but I'm uncertain what it is. We lost three birds this way.
Two weeks later, a hawk attacked our Barred Rock rooster twice in the same day. He's huge, and I can't believe anything attacked him! There were two distinct piles of feathers in the grass and once I found him, I confirmed these were from his lower lack and tail. He had no physical injuries and neither his beak nor his talons showed evidence that he fought. Clearly, a hawk.
Then, I watched a hawk attempt to attack an Australorp. The Australorp screamed and the hawk left. I was standing 15 feet away.
Shortly thereafter, we lost a hen to a hawk. There was a depression in the grass, a few feathers around the outside of the depression, and a missing Rhode Island Red. Clearly, a hawk.
Two weeks later, three hens gone (White Leghorn, Australorp, Barred Rock). Simply missing without any trace at all. When we went to shut them up for the night, we could hear the coyotes calling at the edge of the field and woods.
Clearly, we are not free-ranging for the foreseeable future. We live in a rural area with known possums, coyotes, and a raccoon family. I set live traps and caught two raccoons and the barn cat. Fortunately, the (now neutered) barn cat is now in our garage, so we set leg traps (I know, I'm not happy about it either) for coyotes which have done nothing at all. Interestingly, I haven't actually seen the hawks around since the birds have been under lockdown.
I know that hawks are clearly an issue, but I can't imagine them taking three birds in one day. And the initial killings with just the huge piles of feathers in the open are completely baffling. Coyotes take their prey home, yes? Raccoons don't eat the entire bird. Is it plausible that the raccoon killed them, then a turkey vulture cleaned up?
I'm open to any and all ideas. Thanks for your help!
Initially, one bird (Rhode Island Red, Wyandotte, Easter Egger) disappeared once every 1-2 weeks with nothing but a pile of feathers in a weedy area behind the grain bin. Our neighbor saw the feathers, so I can only relate his statement that there was no meat, no organs, no bones - but seemingly all of the feathers. This is inconsistent with a hawk, from my experience, but I'm uncertain what it is. We lost three birds this way.
Two weeks later, a hawk attacked our Barred Rock rooster twice in the same day. He's huge, and I can't believe anything attacked him! There were two distinct piles of feathers in the grass and once I found him, I confirmed these were from his lower lack and tail. He had no physical injuries and neither his beak nor his talons showed evidence that he fought. Clearly, a hawk.
Then, I watched a hawk attempt to attack an Australorp. The Australorp screamed and the hawk left. I was standing 15 feet away.
Shortly thereafter, we lost a hen to a hawk. There was a depression in the grass, a few feathers around the outside of the depression, and a missing Rhode Island Red. Clearly, a hawk.
Two weeks later, three hens gone (White Leghorn, Australorp, Barred Rock). Simply missing without any trace at all. When we went to shut them up for the night, we could hear the coyotes calling at the edge of the field and woods.
Clearly, we are not free-ranging for the foreseeable future. We live in a rural area with known possums, coyotes, and a raccoon family. I set live traps and caught two raccoons and the barn cat. Fortunately, the (now neutered) barn cat is now in our garage, so we set leg traps (I know, I'm not happy about it either) for coyotes which have done nothing at all. Interestingly, I haven't actually seen the hawks around since the birds have been under lockdown.
I know that hawks are clearly an issue, but I can't imagine them taking three birds in one day. And the initial killings with just the huge piles of feathers in the open are completely baffling. Coyotes take their prey home, yes? Raccoons don't eat the entire bird. Is it plausible that the raccoon killed them, then a turkey vulture cleaned up?
I'm open to any and all ideas. Thanks for your help!
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