Bear attack not all chickens accounted for…

[CrockChickens9]

I had a bear break into my coop last night. I had 6 hens. I have found 2 areas with high number of feathers and I can tell each one is one of my 2 Easter eggers. One of my Australorps and Buff Orpingtons came back after awhile of me calling this morning. So I am still missing another Buff and another Australorp. I have searched and have found none of their feathers anywhere. Is it possible they are hiding or are they likely dead? Should I search the woods for them or would they come back if they were still around? It seems like a lot to lose 4 of the 6 to one bear but I am new to chickens and really have no idea what to expect with an attack like this. I’m pretty heart broken. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I have seen a mountain lion take out over a dozen in one go so four to a bear seems probable. I have had chickens disappear after a raccoon attack but i found them the next morning. They might be too traumatized to come out of hiding if they survived but walking a little ways and calling might be worth a shot. I think your time might be better spent reinforcing your coop because the bear will be back. Sorry you are going through this!

 

[Bawkbok]

I'm sorry to hear of your devastating loss as a new chicken owner. That's heartbreaking.
I don't know if getting a Great Pyrenees guardian dog is an option for you, but I've read that they are capable of taking on a bear (and winning), depending of course, on the size of both. They are a nocturnal breed so would provide protection for your coop at night.

 

[LaFleche]

I had a bear break into my coop last night. I had 6 hens. I have found 2 areas with high number of feathers and I can tell each one is one of my 2 Easter eggers. One of my Australorps and Buff Orpingtons came back after awhile of me calling this morning. So I am still missing another Buff and another Australorp. I have searched and have found none of their feathers anywhere. Is it possible they are hiding or are they likely dead? Should I search the woods for them or would they come back if they were still around? It seems like a lot to lose 4 of the 6 to one bear but I am new to chickens and really have no idea what to expect with an attack like this. I’m pretty heart broken. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks.

I am very sorry for your losses.

Electric fencing/hot wire would be the best way to keep any predator away, but @azygous will be most experienced to help you to bear-proof your coop and run.

Welcome to the BYC community!

 

[azygous]

Yes, there is a high probability that the last two chickens are in hiding. Piles of feathers doesn't necessarily mean the chicken that owned them is dead. Look up high in the trees, and look between large objects and under things. Chickens can stay hidden and in shock for a couple days sometimes.

Where are you located? That info can help us help you.

 

[ChicNmom]

I would keep looking. Anyplace a chicken can hide like dense bushes or up high. Aside from being traumatized they might also be injured. If you are in the habit of shaking a treat or food container maybe try that while calling for them.

I would search the woods. They may be far enough away they don't know how to get back. And you don't want another predator to find them first.

 

[CrockChickens9]

Thank you all for your replys. I am in southern New Hampshire. I’ve looked a lot and drove along the street as I used to have to keep them from wandering down the road. The vegetation is so dense I could not possibly see them scanning the woods and I’ve looked up in trees around the house. No sign. Would I hear them? The two that are missing are usually the quickest to come when I call. I found enough of the Easter Eggers that I’m sure they are no longer alive. I want so badly to find my other two. My kids are so sad. Thanks for your help!

 

[azygous]

On several occasions after a predator attack, I've found hiding chicks and older chickens in the most improbable places, and I never would have found them without being on foot and looking.

I found five missing six-week old chicks unharmed stuffed in a few inches of space behind plastic trash cans full of firewood on my front porch, a place none of my chickens ever go.

After another predator attack, I found a three-month old chicken stuffed into a three-inch crack between two bales of straw under a pine tree.

After hearing hysterical squawking outside by bedroom and looking out to see a big cloud of feathers settling after a hawk had dived at my young pullets, I found the victim afterward hiding in the coop, uninjured except for missing every single feather on her back.

The most dramatic predator incident occurred when two dogs attacked my flock while they were outside of the run. My two roosters disappeared as well as the two dogs. I got all of the hens into the run safely, and none were injured. But I assumed the roosters were carried off by the dogs.

I was heart broken that I'd lost my beautiful boys, but there they were the next morning waiting outside the run. The dogs had not injured them, but they both had extreme cases of frost bite from being exposed all night that had been down to 13F.

Yes, I've had a few casualties. I lost two hens to bobcats, and one to a hawk. I've had many bear attacks, but none of the chickens were lost. I now have hot wire wrapping around the runs and coops energized 24/7 by a solar fence charger. I bait the hot wire with peanut butter for bears, and canned mackerel for bobcats, and predators, after engaging with the baited hot wire, have learned to give my coops and runs a wide birth.

 

[ChicNmom]

They would probably be quiet. I had one that was a good hider. When I would call for her she would reply so I could track her down.
Sometimes I have used a rake to poke into dense bushes and if they are there that either gets a sound out of them or they come out.

Thank you all for your replys. I am in southern New Hampshire. I’ve looked a lot and drove along the street as I used to have to keep them from wandering down the road. The vegetation is so dense I could not possibly see them scanning the woods and I’ve looked up in trees around the house. No sign. Would I hear them? The two that are missing are usually the quickest to come when I call. I found enough of the Easter Eggers that I’m sure they are no longer alive. I want so badly to find my other two. My kids are so sad. Thanks for your help!

 

[CrockChickens9]

So far no sign of the other two. If they were hiding is there any chance they come home in their own? I’m feeling like it maybe hopeless.