Disappeared Chick

[CAjerseychick]

So, it happened. Did a head count today and realized one of my 7 week old chicks is missing-- the only odd thing I can think of is that yesterday we did a run to the store (40mins) and normally the dogs are out but we chained them in the garage... and when we got home all the chickens (14 now 13 chicks and 3 elven week olds) were inside in the coop! They came back out later and ranged about a bit, trooped back into their coop at night as usual and I locked them back in...
Did not notice one was missing (no feathers about no signs of struggle) and we had contractors back banging on the house today so thus the late head count...
They have a wooden coop and poultry netting run, covered inside our fenced (agwire 4 ft) backyard area that has a big oak tree and our porch over it- I leave the run door open for them to free range during the day. The fencing is more of a boundary line for them, I know they can get over it if they want to but they tend to stay inside (we have 2 acres and they have not strayed more than a few feet from their fenced area, which is along the back of our house as well)...
Have on 2 occasions noticed a Hawk-- once in the tree inthe back yard (chicks all hid) and once in the side yard, adjacent to the chicken area (Hawk seemed focused on the tall weeds not chicken area)...
So I am thinking ...Hawk?
Unless a contractor took a bird which I seriously doubt (although the dogs were locked in the kitchen while they were working.... Hmmm 2 days in a row with the watchdogs off duty)... I guess I will do my evening perimeter check and see what I can find...

 

[CAjerseychick]

So, it happened. Did a head count today and realized one of my 7 week old chicks is missing-- the only odd thing I can think of is that yesterday we did a run to the store (40mins) and normally the dogs are out but we chained them in the garage... and when we got home all the chickens (14 now 13 chicks and 3 elven week olds) were inside in the coop! They came back out later and ranged about a bit, trooped back into their coop at night as usual and I locked them back in...
Did not notice one was missing (no feathers about no signs of struggle) and we had contractors back banging on the house today so thus the late head count...
They have a wooden coop and poultry netting run, covered inside our fenced (agwire 4 ft) backyard area that has a big oak tree and our porch over it- I leave the run door open for them to free range during the day. The fencing is more of a boundary line for them, I know they can get over it if they want to but they tend to stay inside (we have 2 acres and they have not strayed more than a few feet from their fenced area, which is along the back of our house as well)...
Have on 2 occasions noticed a Hawk-- once in the tree inthe back yard (chicks all hid) and once in the side yard, adjacent to the chicken area (Hawk seemed focused on the tall weeds not chicken area)...
So I am thinking ...Hawk?
Unless a contractor took a bird which I seriously doubt (although the dogs were locked in the kitchen while they were working.... Hmmm 2 days in a row with the watchdogs off duty)... I guess I will do my evening perimeter check and see what I can find...

False alarm. One of the dogs did the deed (at least a predator I can work with)-- I actually only had my high prey drive dog chained up yesterday-- our blind 13 yearold and 9month old pup (Bernese, who has zilch prey drive but alotta PLAY drive were in/out of the garage with the chained dog)-- the pup came running by with the chicken in his mouth this evening when I did my evening perimeter check-- bird had alotta bruising one puncture wound on a drumstick not eaten in the least and no feathers missing, looked smothered... I think it was the pup...Sigh.... At least the Hawk hasnt come back... I guess I have to close the hole in the fence the chicks were squeezing through to range into the side yard....