Chickens acting very strange.....

[Chickens4Life101]

So, if you have been following my threads, you would know that we have been having some major coyote problems. Our rooster and 3 other hens had been caught. This morning, our most dominant hen that was still alive has disappeared. We assume she has been caught as well.But our other girls have been acting very strange since the disappearance. They have been running around frantically, as if they were looking for something. Also, they have been singing the egg song all day! A couple times this morning we have had all 9 of our girls singing. What is going on?

 

[DobieLover]

So, if you have been following my threads, you would know that we have been having some major coyote problems. Our rooster and 3 other hens had been caught. This morning, our most dominant hen that was still alive has disappeared. We assume she has been caught as well.But our other girls have been acting very strange since the disappearance. They have been running around frantically, as if they were looking for something. Also, they have been singing the egg song all day! A couple times this morning we have had all 9 of our girls singing. What is going on?

They aren't singing. They are alerting. They will make that noise when something frightens them. I'm sure your coyote is back.

If you aren't going to contain your birds in a secure run or at least within electrified poultry netting or something equivalent, they are ALL going to be dinner to the coyote.

I'm confused why you are starting a second thread under basically the same premise. Please just confine your birds and address your security issue.

 

[jsr5]

So what steps are you taking to stop the problem? your girls know there is a problem they are probably singing from in or very near the coop maybe a elevated spot. even the nests as that is the "safest" place a silly chicken can think of. They know somthing is up. they have lost their leadership and don't know what else to do they will sort out the new dynamics of their pecking order but they don't know what else to do as a domesticated animal they are very much in need of you stepping up and making them safe. even if that means cooped up when you aren't physically present to watch out for them.

 

[50-45-1]

This is actually the third thred..
First it was a red fox, then a coyote.
Now the girls are trying to tell you there is danger out there and you are in the house typing on your computer asking us to help you.
Is this your first flock?
How long have you had chickens?
The rest of your birds are doomed unless you get out there and put up a sturdy fence, hopefully heavy guage woven wire 6 ft tall with a top enclosed. Also put it a foot into the ground so things dont dig in. Then go around the parimeter with electric fencing. Then you wont have these heartbreaking losses so often.
Im not going to say never, just not as often.
I am sorry for your birds, and you.
Good luck!

 

[DobieLover]

This is actually the third thred..
First it was a red fox, then a coyote.
Now the girls are trying to tell you there is danger out there and you are in the house typing on your computer asking us to help you.
Is this your first flock?
How long have you had chickens?
The rest of your birds are doomed unless you get out there and put up a sturdy fence, hopefully heavy guage woven wire 6 ft tall with a top enclosed. Also put it a foot into the ground so things dont dig in. Then go around the parimeter with electric fencing. Then you wont have these heartbreaking losses so often.
Im not going to say never, just not as often.
I am sorry for your birds, and you.
Good luck!

Couldn't agree more.

 

[Rammy]

 

[jsr5]

PS put you location at least general location in the sign in perhaps you live close enough to a member for a offer of more direct help. never underestimate the hearts of crazy chicken people. Some of us are retired or otherwise available to be of some assistance maybe.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

The "egg song" is not related to laying eggs. It is a flock location vocalization. It is associated with laying eggs because that is typically when we humans hear it and we have assumed that's what it's about. It is actually the hen who is just laid issuing a here I am where are you, and the flock joining in with a response so that the can be re unite. It stems from when flocks were ranging in a large feral situation and a hen let's stop to lay would often be there for a considerable length of time before wanting to rejoin the flock which had moved on. Your flock is trying to locate each other and the other members that they have become missing due to the predation that you have done nothing to stop. It is a distress call because your birds are in distress.
Do you plan to allow the entire flock to be eaten or are you going to take any steps to stop it?

 

[cmom]

If you have a game camera, put it up. I see mostly coyotes and fox on my cameras.

 

[Chickens4Life101]

If you have a game camera, put it up. I see mostly coyotes and fox on my cameras.View attachment 1705029 View attachment 1705032 View attachment 1705034 View attachment 1705037

We just got one from our neighbor, but unfortunately we didn't have it set up in time. But hopefully now that it is set up it'll work!