Disappeared without a trace

[ryder lake]

Hi,
Today somewhere between 12 -3pm two of my seven chickens(8 mo old) disappeared without a trace. They were both molting so I would think if anything was to grab them there would be feathers everywhere however no feathers were found. There is no way they could get out of their enclosure. Its 4 ft high. Its a mystery to me. I have looked all over for them. ???????

is the top covered, or any evidence of digging around the perimeter?? ive seen coons grab a whole chicken and carry it away??

 

[Debbi H]

Very sorry to hear they are missing. I'm a little confused, though. I've never had chickens molt at 8 mos old. The first adult molt is usually after a year old, and closer to 1 1/2 yrs. Even BackYardChickens has a little video about molting.

But I hope you find out what happened. I've lost a couple with absolutely no trace. I'm sure they went over our 6' fence. Most of the rest never even attempt to leave, even in our front field that only has a 2 1/2' picket fence around it. We did have a big hawk scare a couple days ago. I heard the hawk screeching. Went outside and all the chickens were hidden under the porch out back. The ones that were in the front field were still as stone trying to hide under bushes! They sure stayed close to me walking back to the back field where they are safer. Thank goodness my crow friends were on guard chasing the hawk away.

 

[Arete]

Hi,
Today somewhere between 12 -3pm two of my seven chickens(8 mo old) disappeared without a trace. They were both molting so I would think if anything was to grab them there would be feathers everywhere however no feathers were found. There is no way they could get out of their enclosure. Its 4 ft high. Its a mystery to me. I have looked all over for them. ???????

Are their wings clipped? Mine are the same age and they have flown over a 6ft chain link fence and I found them sitting on top of their coop and run which is 8ft tall. The wing clipping stopped it.

 

[ehawke]

Canines will snatch and run (coyotes and fox) and can do so without a trace. Raccoons typically make a complete mess of the scene. Owls are fierce and stealthy. Larger hawks and raptors can also make lift off with no sign of attack. Once the predator finds easy prey, it will inevitably return for another hit so be on guard.

 

[BanaB]

Oh no! I'm so sorry! I lost one for the first time recently. I found her body but am still not sure what got her. It was devastating. I hope you can figure out what happened.

 

[Chapel Oak Farms]

It is so disheartening when a flock member goes missing without any signs. A couple of my hens disappeared for an entire day and magically appeared in the evening. I still have no idea where they went off to. I walked the entire property! I hope your hens come back. You might want to invest in some outdoor cameras and motion lights.

 

[imfinitechickens]

i agree light weight and full feathers equal flight. clip the wings and heavy them up a little with crop grit oyster shell and protein rich foods... they flew the coop- then get a real run with a top to ward off hawk and owl attacks

 

[PrimroseMom1]

I’ve never seen a chicken that couldn’t clear a 4ft fence.

Ditto. Even young chickens can clear 4’.

 

[PrimroseMom1]

It is so disheartening when a flock member goes missing without any signs. A couple of my hens disappeared for an entire day and magically appeared in the evening. I still have no idea where they went off to. I walked the entire property! I hope your hens come back. You might want to invest in some outdoor cameras and motion lights.

Once I couldn’t find one. Later I found her on the roof of my house. She was young and I never figured out how she got up there. I had to get out a TALL ladder to get her down.

 

[Suzz]

Hi,
Today somewhere between 12 -3pm two of my seven chickens(8 mo old) disappeared without a trace. They were both molting so I would think if anything was to grab them there would be feathers everywhere however no feathers were found. There is no way they could get out of their enclosure. Its 4 ft high. Its a mystery to me. I have looked all over for them. ???????

One of my chickens escaped over a 7 ft high gate repeatedly I finally put some screening across the gap to stop her never underestimate the will of a chicken who wants something