Escaped or predatory bird?

[happylittlehens]

One of my 9 week old chicks is missing. There are no feathers in the run and the rest of the flock are acting completely normal. I don’t usually see hawks or anything like that in the neighborhood. But there was a large crow flying around yesterday. I’m sure it wasn’t a fox or raccoon. I’ve never had one disappear in 5 years of raising hens. Does it sound like she may have escaped or did a bigger bird get her? We’ve searched the neighbors yards. The 4 chicks always stick together so I think if she’d found a place to get out the others would’ve followed... My son is heartbroken. These are ‘his’ chicks

 

[pennyJo1960]

One of my 9 week old chicks is missing. There are no feathers in the run and the rest of the flock are acting completely normal. I don’t usually see hawks or anything like that in the neighborhood. But there was a large crow flying around yesterday. I’m sure it wasn’t a fox or raccoon. I’ve never had one disappear in 5 years of raising hens. Does it sound like she may have escaped or did a bigger bird get her? We’ve searched the neighbors yards. The 4 chicks always stick together so I think if she’d found a place to get out the others would’ve followed... My son is heartbroken. These are ‘his’ chicks

Do you have a game cam you set out if it is a predator it will be back

 

[lovingmyhens]

I’m sooo sorry about the loss of your chick. I know how upsetting it is on top of not knowing what happened. Give your son hugs for us!

 

[happylittlehens]

Do you have a game cam you set out if it is a predator it will be back

We do have one. I’ll have to have the hubby set it up tomorrow.

 

[happylittlehens]

I’m sooo sorry about the loss of your chick. I know how upsetting it is on top of not knowing what happened. Give your son hugs for us!

Thank you. He’s so worried she going to be cold and scared all alone. Dang Mother Nature...

 

[Flockandfowl46]

Large crows will steal and eat small chicks

 

[happylittlehens]

Large crows will steal and eat small chicks

Dang it! I didn’t think they were predatory. I thought they were more scavengers.

 

[MissChick@dee]

If it was a predator they’ll be back for more. Perhaps keep them somewhere safer till they are bigger. Could be hiding or stuck somewhere...I sure hope the little one shows up. Best wishes

 

[Dona Worry]

Are you sure they are crows, and not ravens? Ravens are extremely intelligent, and will kill and eat young chicks.

 

[roosterhavoc]

9 weeks is awfully big for a crow or a raven. A young bird 2 months old is is kinda big for a hawk to carry off too especially without leaving feathers.
How do you know it wasn’t a fox or a raccoon?