Consolidated Kansas

[Anderson Lowe]

Needing some input.

Its been a Happy and sad day here both.
The happy side of things is the eggs are starting to hatch today....

Now to the sad bad...

Something hit main group of birds today, however the only thing we can find are spots where feathers are. No blood, bodies, bones or any other signs of the birds.
Haven't taken a full count yet but appears we have lost at least 8 birds.
Sea bright roo, cochin bantam roo, barred rock, 2 buffs, 3 americanas.

Any input on what my predator is? this was a daytime attack, probably early this morning around 8ish.

Thanks everyone in advance.

Andy

 

[chicken danz]

Needing some input.

Its been a Happy and sad day here both.
The happy side of things is the eggs are starting to hatch today....

Now to the sad bad...

Something hit main group of birds today, however the only thing we can find are spots where feathers are. No blood, bodies, bones or any other signs of the birds.
Haven't taken a full count yet but appears we have lost at least 8 birds.
Sea bright roo, cochin bantam roo, barred rock, 2 buffs, 3 americanas.

Any input on what my predator is? this was a daytime attack, probably early this morning around 8ish.

Thanks everyone in advance.

Andy

Were the birds still in the coop or out ranging. Were they free ranging or in a pen? My guess initially would be a hawk but usually they wouldn't take but one bird at a time. Coyotes however, will run in and grab birds and run with them. If there were several gone and your sure it was daylight that would be my guess. That a small pack came in and grabbed and ran. They will be back so prepare for a second attack.

 

[sharol]

Needing some input.

Its been a Happy and sad day here both.
The happy side of things is the eggs are starting to hatch today....

Now to the sad bad...

Something hit main group of birds today, however the only thing we can find are spots where feathers are. No blood, bodies, bones or any other signs of the birds.
Haven't taken a full count yet but appears we have lost at least 8 birds.
Sea bright roo, cochin bantam roo, barred rock, 2 buffs, 3 americanas.

Any input on what my predator is? this was a daytime attack, probably early this morning around 8ish.

Thanks everyone in advance.

Andy

Were you home? I understand there have been some poultry thefts around our area (Emporia/Hartford/Olpe) during the day. Birds just disappear. Any chance it could be human?

 

[Anderson Lowe]

Were the birds still in the coop or out ranging. Were they free ranging or in a pen? My guess initially would be a hawk but usually they wouldn't take but one bird at a time. Coyotes however, will run in and grab birds and run with them. If there were several gone and your sure it was daylight that would be my guess. That a small pack came in and grabbed and ran. They will be back so prepare for a second attack.

They were out of the run free ranging this morning like every day, I had left early to go test EMT students so didn't spend my time out their. I live in the City on the edge of the limits ( my darn job won't let me live outside of town) but I am being advised across the slough that runs along my back yard there have been red foxes spotted and have heard them at night.

Here are a few pics of the area and feathers
.

Were you home? I understand there have been some poultry thefts around our area (Emporia/Hartford/Olpe) during the day. Birds just disappear. Any chance it could be human?

I think i can honestly say this one wasn't a human issue.

 

[HEChicken]

Anderson Lowe, my guess would be a fox. They tend to kill a bunch then they take them back to their den and bury them. They "mature" and are later dug up and eaten. If uninterrupted, it probably came and went multiple times, carrying away a bird each time. Foxes will climb a fence like its a ladder and can do it carrying an adult bird in their mouth as well. They will leave very little in the way of blood or feathers, as their method of kill is to grab the bird with the top jaw on one side of the backbone and the bottom on the other side. One swift bite immediately severs the spine rendering them dead or paralyzed instantly.

 

[sharol]

They were out of the run free ranging this morning like every day, I had left early to go test EMT students so didn't spend my time out their. I live in the City on the edge of the limits ( my darn job won't let me live outside of town) but I am being advised across the slough that runs along my back yard there have been red foxes spotted and have heard them at night.

Here are a few pics of the area and feathers
.















I think i can honestly say this one wasn't a human issue.

I'm so sorry for your losses. Glad it isn't human -- those can be even worse than foxes in the long run.

 

[chicken danz]

@Anderson Lowe , I do believe that would have been coyotes. Foxes tend to kill several and then come back and get them later one at a time. The feathers there look like what would occur if they were grabbed and taken. I don't suppose you have a rooster or something you could put in a large live trap and sacrifice for catching the predator. Many cities animal control unit have traps they will lend out for a day or two.
I see HEChicken posted while I was typing. Depending on how long you were gone I guess it could have been foxes. You will definitely need to tighten up your security if that was the case.

 

[Dani4Hedgies]

Poultry Math Its a thing...I started with 16 hatchery birds on Nov 18 then had 1 death and adopted out 2 so dropped to the 13 thought we had 5 roosters. So went shopping at Danz hoping for 6 hens ended up with 5 hens and the 1 and only rooster (that I know of) then went to Danz today for 4 Midget White Turkeys and wouldn't you know it I came home with 11 peeping babies 4 pouts 2 Black Mottled Orps, 3 Jubilee, 2 Suxxex to ADD to the 6 ( 1 Mottled, 4 Brahmas,and yes a Partridge in a tree (well ok Brooder but close enough THANKS Danz your the BEST!!!!! I'm Dani4Hedgies and I am not ashamed to say I'm a Poultry Addict....

 

[Dani4Hedgies]

Ohhh and here are the eggs my current 4 ladies are laying for me

 

[sharol]

Ohhh and here are the eggs my current 4 ladies are laying for me

I really love a colorful egg basket.