Chickens Vanished

[RedBreasted]

I have 2 hens out of 5 that went missing. They are Amber White and Easter Egger, both already starting to lay eggs but now I'm depressed that I won't get anymore green eggs. I live in a suburban neighborhood so hawks or foxes isn't all I see around here. My yard is bigger than my next door neighbors so I free range all my chickens. The fences are 6ft tall, wood, and l wouldn't worry about the 2 hens fly out. Last time I saw them was last Thursday when I was feeding them and the last green egg I got was on last Friday or Saturday.

Edit: it was unlikely they die from starvation, dehydration or cannibalism because then where's the bones at or the body. I now have 3 hens, Rhode Island Red, Buff Orpington, and Brown Leghorn

 

[PD-Riverman]

Sorry this happen, but it happens a lot to chickens that free-range. If it was a Predator---and you continue free-ranging---it will probably be back for the rest when it wants another good Chicken Dinner.

 

[RedBreasted]

Sorry this happen, but it happens a lot to chickens that free-range. If it was a Predator---and you continue free-ranging---it will probably be back for the rest when it wants another good Chicken Dinner.

Right now I'm thinking it could be a neighbor entering my yard and stealing chickens. If this happens, it is considered as trespassing and I'll call the cops.

 

[PD-Riverman]

Right now I'm thinking it could be a neighbor entering my yard and stealing chickens. If this happens, it is considered as trespassing and I'll call the cops.

Anything is possible but that's a lot more than just trespassing if they stole them. Probably predators----if I was your neighbor and I wanted to steal your chickens---I would wait till night and get them all off the roost----most thief's would be to lazy to chase them in the day time in the heat. Good Luck

 

[mickeymushroom]

did you look under the coop? If you are experiencing hot weather they often go there to cool... then they die. I have had to get down on my hands and knees looking for them and yes. In the past I had many die under the coop in the shade. Look under bushes too?

 

[chickfilletNOT]

It sounds like they were not in a coop at night? Even in suburban areas, there are raccoons and other wild animals that wouldn't be put off by a fence. I even had a favorite hen killed in the coop by something that reached in, grabbed her, and ate everything that could be pulled through the bars. I guess it was a coon. Anyway, unless they are kept in a super snake-proof and coon-proof coop, chickens are never safe.

 

[getaclue]

EVERYTHING eats chicken, which is why they need a coop at night, even if you free range during the day.

 

[aart]

When did they disappear?
Do you have a secure coop for at night?

A 6 foot fence is nothing to a chicken to fly up on top of then over they go.

 

[RedBreasted]

When did they disappear?
Do you have a secure coop for at night?

A 6 foot fence is nothing to a chicken to fly up on top of then over they go.

They disappeared around last Friday or Saturday. The coop is always locked except for a small opening for the chickens to go into at night/when laying eggs.

did you look under the coop? If you are experiencing hot weather they often go there to cool... then they die. I have had to get down on my hands and knees looking for them and yes. In the past I had many die under the coop in the shade. Look under bushes too?

I checked my entire yard. Wasn't under coop.

It sounds like they were not in a coop at night? Even in suburban areas, there are raccoons and other wild animals that wouldn't be put off by a fence. I even had a favorite hen killed in the coop by something that reached in, grabbed her, and ate everything that could be pulled through the bars. I guess it was a coon. Anyway, unless they are kept in a super snake-proof and coon-proof coop, chickens are never safe.

I'm sorry about your fowl dead. I'm thinking it could be a predator but I keep thinking they might've flew over the fence and some human kidnap them. Wherever my hens are at, their probably dead.
I've only had 2 months of green eggs from my Easter Egger. Time to order new ones at my local hatchery!

 

[jolly wattles]

Wait...what? So you don't even know what day they disappeared? You say the coop is locked EXCEPT for a hole they can get into? Then the coop isn't locked from predators. I'm confused. Am I missing something?