Disappearing chickens

[Wackums]

I had 28 chickens, 1 is with my guineas because he thinks he's a guinea since he grew up with them, the rest was in my dogpen the past few days (I had to move them because of a mink so I've been tying my dog up next to them) but I've lost 3 chickens within a week and 2 in just the past couple days) we have a net above the dog pen with a hole in it, no diggin around the pen, no feathers, no blood, no body. No signs of a struggle. What could it be? My neighbor has the same problem but he let's his free range like I used to.

 

[Cwestlake]

I had 28 chickens, 1 is with my guineas because he thinks he's a guinea since he grew up with them, the rest was in my dogpen the past few days (I had to move them because of a mink so I've been tying my dog up next to them) but I've lost 3 chickens within a week and 2 in just the past couple days) we have a net above the dog pen with a hole in it, no diggin around the pen, no feathers, no blood, no body. No signs of a struggle. What could it be? My neighbor has the same problem but he let's his free range like I used to.

My Son-n-law has the same problem with his hens disappearing no sign of feathers or anything he’s put up traps in his yard but as of now nothing has got caught in his trap!

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

It might help if you list your location on your profile.

 

[ChickNanny13]

2x BirdBeesTrees ... It helps knowing your location for several reasons, locations gives us an idea as to what predators are in your area, supplies available, weather conditions and it does help determining answers.

So whatever is taking your chickens it's coming from the top where you have a netting? How big is the hole? It's taking at night or during the day? Doesn't your dog sound an alarm?

 

[Wackums]

It might help if you list your location on your profile.

Kentucky

 

[Wackums]

2x BirdBeesTrees ... It helps knowing your location for several reasons, locations gives us an idea as to what predators are in your area, supplies available, weather conditions and it does help determining answers.

So whatever is taking your chickens it's coming from the top where you have a netting? How big is the hole? It's taking at night or during the day? Doesn't your dog sound an alarm?

My dog does but she barks at her own shadow. The whole is pretty small it's like 6 inch wide and 12 inches long. And kentucky. And I haven't been here in the last couple days so I don't know night or day

 

[cmom]

If you have a mink around that would be my guess. If you have a game camera, put it up then you will know what is roaming and what you are dealing with. It will be back. Good luck...

 

[50-45-1]

almost any kind of predator i can think of would leave some kind of sign of struggle or the body behind.
maybe you have a chicken thief and not a chicken predator.
i second the motion to put up a trail cam and see what is going on.
hope you figure this out.

 

[Wackums]

If you have a mink around that would be my guess. If you have a game camera, put it up then you will know what is roaming and what you are dealing with. It will be back. Good luck...

I've had a mink problem before. Slaughtered my ducks and left 1 there to rot without eating anything, slaughtered my neighbors chickens and ducks, never removed anything. Couldn't be a mink there would be blood, feathers, and a body.

 

[Wackums]

almost any kind of predator i can think of would leave some kind of sign of struggle or the body behind.
maybe you have a chicken thief and not a chicken predator.
i second the motion to put up a trail cam and see what is going on.
hope you figure this out.

I instantly thought thief too, but I'm gonna try & think of ways to stop a animal first before I have to decide on anything about a thief. My buddy asked if it could be a pack of raccoons, saying sometimes they'd take the chickens for the babies so they don't have to hunt yet.