I have lost 20 chickens in the last couple of months. There had been no signs until today. I found a dead chicken in the paddock and his only injury was the skin was broken about middle way in his back. No large number of feathers were missing. There was not much sign of a struggle, not like I used to see from raccoons with pieces and parts all over the place. Can a hawk or some other flying predator carry off a full grown chicken? I don't believe we have eagles, I have never seen one. The chickens free range in an area enclosed with 2X4 wire over cattle panels. The chickens are in a closed coop at night so it must be happening during the day. You would think that with that many attacks and me going to the barn once or twice a day I would have seen something. I have closed the chickens in the run until I can figure something out. I have also lost a couple of guineas, but I am used to that.
