Chick disappeared without a trace

[Riggott07]

I have a small private fenced backyard that I let my small flock of chickens free range during the day. Yesterday evening as I went out to check on my 6 week old chicks in the coop, I noticed one is missing. I looked everywhere, around the yard, the coop, outside the fence, under the porch, even the next door neighbors backyard. The chick is gone! No feathers, no sign of struggle, no holes in the fence. What do you think happened?

 

[Mysticalys]

I have had this happen to my bantam roosters I noticed he was gone one day and I didn’t see any feathers or anything. But your chick could have wandered of farther. Sorry I’m not much help

 

[21hens-incharge]

If it was free ranging pretty much any predator could have taken it.

Hawk would be my first suspect. Second would be cat.

Such as bummer to lose a bird.

 

[Riggott07]

It's ok. Glad I'm not the only one this happened to. I had a hawk attack one of my bantams last year but it left feathers all over the place. This time no feathers. Nothing. I been walking around the yard hoping to hear her cheeping. I am now wondering if stray cats take prey without a trace?

 

[21hens-incharge]

Both hawks and cats can take a 6 week old chick with leaving no trace.

 

[Riggott07]

Bummer.
Gonna keep the chicks in their run then.

 

[RWise]

I lost a full hatch in just a few hours to a cat, cat is now raising daisies,, good luck!

 

[Rocket Man]

Everything likes ckicks

 

[theoldchick]

Get a critter cam to learn what is taking your chicks. You'll be surprised at what you discover........