Confusing EE/Did I end up with all boys!?

[ShrekDawg]

And it's so cool to watch a good mama hen with chicks!!

I am excited to see that!

 

[chrissynemetz]

Trust me you'll love it!! It's SO sweet!

 

[ShrekDawg]

Trust me you'll love it!! It's SO sweet!

I bet!

 

[ShrekDawg]

The chicks are sunbathing not quite dustbathing yet but even sunbathing is progress!! They’ll figure it out eventually lol they’re right next to the dustbathing area.

 

[ShrekDawg]

So the chicks love the front yard and it has been proving impossible to keep them out. Earlier they were in some bushes in the front next to the house then they moved under a huge bush next to the driveway (and some were in the driveway) and then they discovered the front garden. Finally just chased them out and managed to get them home and locked up.

Not that I particularly mind them being in the front but I would prefer the chickens all be in one area.

I think they are trying to stay away from the big chickens or maybe are just more adventurous being mostly roosters but the back is plenty big enough for all of that! Lol

I keep thinking I’ve lost them and freaking out only to discover they’re in the front!!

Here they are being naughty LOL the 4th one they were pecking my toes!!

 

[ShrekDawg]

Lost another chick!

I swear, I can’t catch a break with these dang things!

 

[ShrekDawg]

First they’re basically all cockerels then I lose my favorite one and now I’ve lost another! I feel like such an idiot. But I don’t really get it because I have never had any issues with the other ones even in 4 years and 2 sets of chicks outside, probably less secure than these chicks, yet these ones are dropping like flies!!

 

[chrissynemetz]

What happened?

 

[ShrekDawg]

What happened?

Something dug in. There is fresh dirt and several holes. But they look pretty small so

There are feathers outside the pen but not inside (well there are but from other birds) and zero blood or sign of the bird anywhere. I was thinking of looking for him but I wouldn’t even know where to start. None of the other birds are missing or injured. It’s like something just snuck in, grabbed him, and left. Although the feathers on the outside kind of suggest he was still alive and put up a fight? I didn’t let the chicks free range yesterday but did the adults but they are all fine.

I think it is a different predator than the last one.

 

[chrissynemetz]

Do you know when it happened? Daytime or...?
I caught a fox in my run last year that got in through a teeny tiny little hole he dug. I wouldn't have thought he would fit if I hadn't seen him. He found the one spot without an apron.