Evening Predator?

[PSULILKC]

We had two roosters and 13 hens. In the past 2-2 1/2 weeks we have been having one chicken go missing with no signs of battle (no feathers, carcass, etc). We live in a rural area, but with semi-close neighbors. There are dogs near by, but for a year they have not been a problem at all, in fact they walk completely around our property. The chickens free range during the day, but stay in the yard, which is an acre or so big and then in the evening they are locked up in their coops. It seems to be occurring between the hours of 4 PM and Dusk. I am home most of the time, but have not been able to see anything, and watch our girls and boys often. The roosters are never yelling like anything is going on. And it is only 1 hen at a time, never any more. We are now down to 2 roosters and 7 hens. It is so frustrating when they are all egg layers. ARGHHH.

Any ides for a predator that leaves no signs...

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Human maybe.

It just seems odd that there was not hens and roosters squaking with all their might each time it occurred. I'd think in 6 different occurrences you or neighbors would have heard the calamity. The other oddity is that one of the roosters is not at least injured to some extent after 6 different losses.

Sure a fox could ambush from bushes with such speed and precision it leaves the others dumb but not on 6 occasions.

 

[PSULILKC]

I know right, but our dog outside in her pen is not barking either, so I don't think human unless they are doing where she cant see them. But it sure is perplexing... If it is one of the dogs, they aren't doing the usual and "playing" with it there. They are taking it way off some where. It is just making us mad at this point. I am now paranoid and am having to go out and "check" and "count" the chicken often.

 

[vbob99]

sounds a bit like a bobcat. they can be very quick and quiet

 

[zazouse]

sounds a bit like a bobcat. they can be very quick and quiet

Agreed , bobs can sit in the brush waiting for the right moment to pounce for hours and unless the chickens are grouped together none would even notice.

 

[PSULILKC]

The only thing with the bobcat theory is they would have to sit across the road in the field and then sneak across it and into our yard to "pounce' on our chicks... There is no where for it to hide... And I think it would be obvious if it was sneaking across a paved road each day this was happening .... Across the street is an open cow pasture approx 200 acres, but to each side of us are houses. Its just odd... I went and checked the dirt around the house and there were any tracks of anything, not even our dog. Behind our property is a horse rodeo practice arena and a field that is approx 30 aces, but the chicks stay close to the house and their coop, they don't venture off too far.

 

[aart]

Never found any bodies?

Could be the found greener pastures?

 

[PSULILKC]

They went missing on different days and were all really good about coming back to the coop at night/dusk. Mature chickens that were laying. No, no bodies or feathers... Maybe somebody else's greener pasture that decided they wanted egg layers... Who knows.... Cant' afford to barricade my yard off, so will have to take that risk, but have my ammo ready if its something don't like...