Bobcat attack, lost one girl, what about the other 2?

[pamelajean]

I am devastated, I came home from work today to find no ducks in my enclosure. Then I hear in the distance, the familiar call of one of my girls. Across the property in the deep snow I can see two dark blobs. I run, and rescue my 2 girls, stranded in the snow. Looking closer, there is what is left of my third girl, stuck in the electric fence. I clean up what is left of Pete and get the girls locked up. I look closer at the carnage, assuming racoon, but the footprints are bigger, so I assume, neighbour dog, or coyote. But there is no damage to the fence? Then I see a clearer print - its a large cat. Bobcat. This makes sense since a bobcat could easily scale the 4' electric fence. I'm assuming when the breastbone got stuck in the fence, the cat was getting shocked and left it...

My concern now is the other two girls. They are not hurt from what I can see. I assume they flew over the fence to get away. I don't know how long they were stuck out in the snow. What should I look for in terms of being stranded in deep snow? Could they be in shock or something. I just don't want to go out later and find two more dead ducks from something I could not have forseen. This is my first ever first hand real pet loss. I don't want to experience another one tomorrow.

Also, are bobcats like racoons? Will they keep coming back until there are none left? I have an electric net fence, surrounding an 10 x 12 enclosed run with their house inside, I'm afraid they are going to be confined to the enclosure for awhile..

She was a brand new layer too! I am so sad.

 

[Samannemm]

I am so sorry for your loss! I had (what I believe to be) a coyote attack a couple weeks back and lost two of my girls. It's pretty devastating so I understand what you're going through. Hang in there! This is my first year with chickens so I'm replying with what I have found with research, and very little from experience. We have snow here and I can tell you my predator returned afterward. Luckily I had rescued the run area already (my predator used pallets I had along my run as ladders to go in and out of a small holes I hadn't seen in the top). Do you let your hens free range during the day? If so, do you have an enclosed run area that you can leave them in for the day instead of just the coop? I would air on the side of assuming the predator will return. Better safe than sorry.

 

[pamelajean]

I am so sorry for your loss! I had (what I believe to be) a coyote attack a couple weeks back and lost two of my girls. It's pretty devastating so I understand what you're going through. Hang in there! This is my first year with chickens so I'm replying with what I have found with research, and very little from experience. We have snow here and I can tell you my predator returned afterward. Luckily I had rescued the run area already (my predator used pallets I had along my run as ladders to go in and out of a small holes I hadn't seen in the top). Do you let your hens free range during the day? If so, do you have an enclosed run area that you can leave them in for the day instead of just the coop? I would air on the side of assuming the predator will return. Better safe than sorry.

I do let them free range within their electric fence. I will not be letting them out for awhile unless I am home. I feel bad keeping them in a 10 x 12 space but I build the enclosure for a reason, might as well use it.

 

[pamelajean]

I am so sorry for your loss! I had (what I believe to be) a coyote attack a couple weeks back and lost two of my girls. It's pretty devastating so I understand what you're going through. Hang in there! This is my first year with chickens so I'm replying with what I have found with research, and very little from experience. We have snow here and I can tell you my predator returned afterward. Luckily I had rescued the run area already (my predator used pallets I had along my run as ladders to go in and out of a small holes I hadn't seen in the top). Do you let your hens free range during the day? If so, do you have an enclosed run area that you can leave them in for the day instead of just the coop? I would air on the side of assuming the predator will return. Better safe than sorry.

Sorry for your loss as well! I know it's likely to lose birds to predators at some point but I was hoping it wouldn't happen to me....or at least until I had them for a little longer....

 

[Samannemm]

I do let them free range within their electric fence. I will not be letting them out for awhile unless I am home. I feel bad keeping them in a 10 x 12 space but I build the enclosure for a reason, might as well use it.

Ya I completely understand not wanting to keep them in a small space all day, but I also think free ranging comes at a cost. I would highly recommend only allowing them to free range when you’re there to supervise. Another great method I’ve read that helps deter predators is if you have a large dog that can get along with your flock, most predators will stay away because they smell the dogs scent. I found this article on Bobcats: https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...-to-protect-your-chickens-from-bobcats.47718/
Unfortunately it doesn’t give a ton of advice on what to do to prevent it from happening again.

Sorry for your loss as well! I know it's likely to lose birds to predators at some point but I was hoping it wouldn't happen to me....or at least until I had them for a little longer....

I thought the same thing. I think it’s extremely shocking to see too. It was very hard for me, as I’m sure it was for you. Hopefully more experienced BYC members jump on to give you more advice on preventative measures.

 

[pamelajean]

here is a print with a 1 1/4 inch screw for scale. Bobcat?

 

[Samannemm]

View attachment 1225094 here is a print with a 1 1/4 inch screw for scale. Bobcat?

Looks like bobcat.
http://articles.extension.org/pages/71204/predator-management-for-small-and-backyard-poultry-flocks
http://ouroneacrefarm.com/poultry-predator-identification-a-guide-to-tracks-and-sign/

 

[pamelajean]

2 days post attack and I get a knot in my tummy every time I go to check on them afterwork.
Happy to report though my two girls ate normal today (I may have thrown a handful of mealworms into their food dish this morning) and still getting an egg a day. They seem back to normal, now I just need to get there.

 

[Samannemm]

2 days post attack and I get a knot in my tummy every time I go to check on them afterwork.
Happy to report though my two girls ate normal today (I may have thrown a handful of mealworms into their food dish this morning) and still getting an egg a day. They seem back to normal, now I just need to get there.

ya, I still get that knot after several weeks, although it’s decreased a ton. My first loss to predators that I’ve seen and it was very heartbreaking. You’ll get to the point where you’ll feel comfortable again with time.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Very sorry for both of your losses.