Any idea what got my chickens?

[kalibali04]

Missing 10 11-week old chickens overnight. I found the bodies of 2 and feathers from 2 others. The other 6 I don’t see a trace of.

We had the in the run at night and during the day acclimating them with the 1 year old chickens.

Of course it’s all the favorites. My kids are going to be just devastated.

Any theories on what got my babies?

 

[sourland]

Dog, fox, coyote - did the predator tear a hole in the pen wire?

 

[kalibali04]

No - I see no point of entry...which is why I was thinking it might be something small? Or if somehow they escaped during the day with kids going in and out and my husband didn’t notice when he shut everything up for the night. There were 4 walking around outside the run when I went down there to let the adults out.

He went by the coop around 4am and didn’t notice anything, but it was still dark and the bodies weren’t right next to the coop so I wouldn’t be surprised if they were there and he just didn’t see them.

Dog, fox, coyote - did the predator tear a hole in the pen wire?

 

[sourland]

Have to wonder how they got out of the coop/pen.

 

[kalibali04]

I know. I’m just beside myself. My son is going to be heartbroken. He loves the chickens.

Have to wonder how they got out of the coop/pen.

 

[sourland]

The sad reality is that whatever it was, it will return. Fortify.

 

[kalibali04]

Will do. They were just about acclimated together, so now everyone is in the run getting the pecking order drama over with. They’ll all be in the coop together from here on out.

And we’ll be getting a live trap out too.

The sad reality is that whatever it was, it will return. Fortify.

 

[cmom]

So sorry for you loss. If you have a game camera put it up because it will be back and then you're likely to know what has been lurking and can form a plan. I would set a trap too. You can use one of the bodies as bait. Good luck...

 

[Wolfie2]

Yes, while you have chickens the predators will find them and explore every weakness that your run/ coop/ pasture affords them. Natures Way! Sorry about the bad news but that's just the animal kingdom. The weak will not survive. You have to be strong for them!