Are my chickens wandering away or being eaten?

[wildhuntersbaby]

We let our chickens out in the morning and lock them up at night. We started with 11 hens aand are down to 3. We cant figure out what the heck is happening to them. We first thought that it was hawks, we would lose one every couple weeks. Just last night we were missing 3. They have never disappeaared in such large numbers, making us believe that they are wandering away and not being eaten. We have never found any feathers where something may have gotten ahold of one and carried it off or flown away with them. They just dont show up to roost at night and are gone. Wondering if anyone else has had this happen?? Oh. one more important clue, we do have a corn field about 105 yards from our house. Thinking they are wandering into there and getting lost?? stay out too late, bed down, coyote gets them?? Please help!

 

[CMV]

Unfortunately, your birds are likely getting eaten. If you didn't take any precautions after the first one or two disappeared then word got around to the predators in your area that there was an all-you-can-eat buffet at your house. Lock up the few birds you have left or you won't have any at all.

I had a similar situation this past spring where I started losing birds. They just vanished into thin air without a trace. A game camera, a massive search, a major property clean up of both mine and my neighbor's properties, and I still have no idea what happened to those birds. My birds had to be locked up for the majority of the summer, but I haven't had a loss in months. I am pretty sure I may have been dealing with a coyote in my case.

Sorry for your losses. Good luck.

 

[scratch'n'peck]

Chickens usually come back to roost pretty dependably. It is possible that a predator chases them out of their normal ranging area and that is why you haven't found feathers. Even if they are chased and find another place to roost for the night, if they don't come back and join the rest of the flock in the morning it is not a good sign. Sorry.

 

[sourland]

Something is eating your chickens.

 

[featherz]

Quote:
One or two, I could see being broody somewhere, but that many? they are being eaten.

Chickens are experts at finding their way home when it starts getting dark.

 

[kuntrygirl]

Quote:
One or two, I could see being broody somewhere, but that many? they are being eaten.

Chickens are experts at finding their way home when it starts getting dark.

I agree. Something is eating your chickens.

 

[Oregon Blues]

You leave them loose, then the chickens are taking their chances. Everything likes to eat chicken.

If you leave them loose after something starts eating them then you are going to lose all your chickens. The free buffet sign is out.

Individual chickens do not "wander away". They stay with their flock.