Finally happened - lost 2 chickens

[Toothpick]

Over 2 years and no issues or signs. But sometime between the last couple of days/nights something has made off with 2 chickens. There are feathers all over the pasture and I found some blood among them. But no bodies. I walked the whole pasture too. I’m thinking either a bobcat or a fox.

And I have a bit of a conundrum because most my chickens don’t roost in the coop at night. I put a shelter in the run and most of them have started roosting on that. I’m thinking I’m going to have to take that out of the run so they will go in the coop at night so I can lock them up. Then somehow try to dispatch the predator.

 

[lovingmyhens]

Min so sorry about your loss. It’s never easy that’s for sure. One thing I learned is that once they (the predator) know where the chickens are, they’ll be back. I also went for 2 years with out any problems. Completely free ranging. Then one night something got most of the chickens and 2 rabbits. For the next 2 years I tried stuff and kept losing chickens. Now they are encased completely. No more free ranging but at least I know they are safe. The other morning I heard noises by the coop. It was dark and I couldn’t hear anything but as soon as I opened the back door i heard what ever it was jump off the roof of the coop and into the neighbors yard. All my chickens were out of the coop (really early for them) and huddled in a corner.
Do what you have to do to keep your girls safe. Even if you have to change their habits!

 

[Kiki]

Sorry for your loss.
If I were you I'd make sure the coop is predator proof and lick them up tonight.
The killer will be back.

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

I’m so sorry for your loss! Bear hugs!

 

[Toothpick]

I’m expecting it to come back tonight. I’m going to stay up a bit later and keep an eye out. They have gotten used to roosting outside of the coop on the shelter in the run. I’ll have to remove the shelter for sure. Otherwise they will never go inside the coop so I can lock them up. I can’t do that until tomorrow.

 

[lovingmyhens]

I bought a super bright work light that plugs in. I got an extension cord and set it up on the roof of the coop and it shines towards the bayou

 

[Toothpick]

I bought a super bright work light that plugs in. I got an extension cord and set it up on the roof of the coop and it shines towards the bayou

That’s actually a really good idea. I have one of those I’ve used exactly once this year.

 

[lovingmyhens]

That’s actually a really good idea. I have one of those I’ve used exactly once this year.

I’ve no clue if it works but I’ve lost soo many of my hens to bob cats for sure that I’m up for anything at this point. Maybe coons and possums too. I know there were bob cats because I saw the claw marks on my fence after one particular slaughter.

 

[imneva]

So sorry. Hope you catch that predator

 

[Toothpick]

I’ve no clue if it works but I’ve lost soo many of my hens to bob cats for sure that I’m up for anything at this point. Maybe coons and possums too. I know there were bob cats because I saw the claw marks on my fence after one particular slaughter.

I’m sure it doesn’t hurt anything. You basically have to make it uninviting for a predator. Lights, nowhere to hide, scents they don’t like, noises they don’t like. And so on. Typically they are sneaky animals that don’t want to be discovered or caught in the act. So anything that prevents that is a deterrent.

I just never bothered because I never had an issue. Plus I got a dog, the neighbor has a dog. I’ve never seen any signs. But inevitably it will happen if you do nothing to safeguard your flock. Now I’m forced to be reactive and play catch up.