Disappearing birds

[tn_artist]

Around here, if the hens don't roost as per usual, it's an indication that a predator of some kind has frightened and disrupted them. For a few nights afterward, they don't trust their roosts or even the safety of their hen house, and once, when a hen was taken right by the gate, they didn't want to go through that gate the next night. We had to lead and/or chase them through it to rebuild their confidence in it. I've come to the conclusion that chickens are a bit emotional. They are... well ... kind of "chicken!"

So their behavior is telling you something. Maybe there was a snake? But a raccoon seems more likely. When we caught one almost in the act, there were no feathers because the kill was practically instantaneous and hen put up no fight.

Good luck going forward.

Makes sense. I think there are raccoons or a cat hanging around. Fortunately, no birds were taken, just scared. They are on lockdown for the week since we are out of town now.

 

[sciencegrrrrl]

Coyote here have no fear and are around even during the day. If we see a raccoon during the day, it usually has rabies or distemper. After my last coon attack, everyone was out of sorts and I couldn't get my last rooster to come back into the coop at all.

 

[fawnda]

If they're not contained to a somewhat protected area, even during the day, predators will figure it out eventually. If an opposum can get into your pen, then just about anything can. Sounds like something larger took off with your birds, perhaps an eagle, or coyote. https://www.cwrescue.org/predatorproofhousing

 

[morsekathan]

We lost quite a few hens to forgetting to close the coop door until we cut our losses and installed an automatic door. Best money I have spent on anything. We can go out and forget to put the ladies to bed. We don’t have to leave everywhere by dark. We have a pullet-shut chicken door that opens liked a a regular door (not a drop door) because that was the best for retrofitting, but my research showed that most people like their door no matter what type or who makes it. My has a photo sensor and runs on a battery with a solar charger. It cost a bunch, but I’ve had it 8 years or so, so the cost per year is not that high.

 

[chickencoop57]

No trace of feathers or parts sounds like a hawk to me or like Tycine1 said, two legged predator.

 

[Charlenesmom]

Automatic coop door....then no one has to worry about closing or opening...they all learn after a few days. You may need to check for about a week to make sure they are all getting with the program.

 

[David65326]

I have a 60 acre farm so predators are a way of life. My chickens have yet to fall victim to one. This is thanks to my paranoia and overkill on the 40x60 pen.
I have motion control solar lights on each corner. Anything comes near the coop and the entire place lights up like a prison during an escape.
I also have a solar powered electric fence wire around the outside of the base of the pen .it's about 1 foot high. This I only use in winter.
In summer I have motion activated sprinklers every ten feet. Turns out coyotes skunks racoons and possums dogs etc do not appreciate getting suddenly startled by a high pressure water blast in the face. After a few tries they stop coming back
The top of the pen is chicken wire interlaced with hog wire to prevent owls Hawks and the occasional bald eagle
I also ran my chicken wire 3 feet under on the ground and buried it with dirt and rocks all the way around nothing is going to dig under it.
I let my chickens out during the day to forage and eat ticks. I have a bell on the pen when I ring it they know it's time for treats and a chicken stampede comes back to the pen and I lock them in. I have a small Chihuahua mix that loves to herd the stragglers but truth be told if they were to turn on her she would be in trouble.

 

[David65326]

I have a 60 acre farm so predators are a way of life. My chickens have yet to fall victim to one. This is thanks to my paranoia and overkill on the 40x60 pen.
I have motion control solar lights on each corner. Anything comes near the coop and the entire place lights up like a prison during an escape.
I also have a solar powered electric fence wire around the outside of the base of the pen .it's about 1 foot high. This I only use in winter.
In summer I have motion activated sprinklers every ten feet. Turns out coyotes skunks racoons and possums dogs etc do not appreciate getting suddenly startled by a high pressure water blast in the face. After a few tries they stop coming back
The top of the pen is chicken wire interlaced with hog wire to prevent owls Hawks and the occasional bald eagle
I also ran my chicken wire 3 feet under on the ground and buried it with dirt and rocks all the way around nothing is going to dig under it.
I let my chickens out during the day to forage and eat ticks. I have a bell on the pen when I ring it they know it's time for treats and a chicken stampede comes back to the pen and I lock them in. I have a small Chihuahua mix that loves to herd the stragglers but truth be told if they were to turn on her she would be in trouble.

 

[HollyWoozle]

I'm pleased that your missing chickens turned up, what a relief! We are in the UK but once lost 7 chickens to a fox in the daylight - no blood, bodies and barely a feather to be seen. It's quite disconcerting!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I have a 60 acre farm so predators are a way of life. My chickens have yet to fall victim to one. This is thanks to my paranoia and overkill on the 40x60 pen.
I have motion control solar lights on each corner. Anything comes near the coop and the entire place lights up like a prison during an escape.
I also have a solar powered electric fence wire around the outside of the base of the pen .it's about 1 foot high. This I only use in winter.
In summer I have motion activated sprinklers every ten feet. Turns out coyotes skunks racoons and possums dogs etc do not appreciate getting suddenly startled by a high pressure water blast in the face. After a few tries they stop coming back
The top of the pen is chicken wire interlaced with hog wire to prevent owls Hawks and the occasional bald eagle
I also ran my chicken wire 3 feet under on the ground and buried it with dirt and rocks all the way around nothing is going to dig under it.
I let my chickens out during the day to forage and eat ticks. I have a bell on the pen when I ring it they know it's time for treats and a chicken stampede comes back to the pen and I lock them in. I have a small Chihuahua mix that loves to herd the stragglers but truth be told if they were to turn on her she would be in trouble.

That's outstanding, nothing is going to get your birds, that's for sure! How many chickens do you have?