First loss

[Folly's place]

I know how upset you are right now, but please don't get more upset over that comment. It's clear that you normally don't have an open coop at night, and that rare night turned out to be the wrong time.
In a perfect world, this would never happen. In my world, it does once in a while, and then it's about luck, some good, some not. Many of us have lost birds through 'misadventure' or whatever you want to call it, because things aren't always perfect.
Hang in there!
Mary

 

[hayley3]

No, the coop wasn't closed. I got off late unexpectedly. However, we are on 17 acres. My chickens free range, but hang out on about 2 acres. They are usually in the front yard, where there is a lot of cover...hay bales, tractors, farm equipment, trees...but the chickens always go in their coop by themselves at night. The coop is in the backyard, behind the house. I found the two out front, not far apart, indicating to me they were killed before dark, but I can't be sure. Surprised we had nothing on camera. But what can catch TWO, and not be on camera? Do owls hunt together? Do they hunt at dusk? It was a cloudy day, too, but usually the chickens go to their coop even earlier then.

You said right in this quote the coop wasn't closed which is where we got that. And it sounded like they could freely go in and out which a predator will do as well. I actually found a raccoon in my coop as I was putting my chickens in one night, if I had not seen him, it would've been a catastrophe. (my internet froze last night so I couldn't finish my post)

 

[Suedan]

I'm so sorry for your loss. It isn't easy no matter if it's extra roosters or hens. I wonder if it could have been a hawk initially and then something else moved them late at night. I'm so sorry.

 

[WhyDoILikeChickens]

I'm sorry for your loss. In one weekend I lost 5 of 7 birds and understand the devastation felt. I actually caught 2 raccoon in the run that week.
I agree with the ability to free range and it's a tough balance of freedom, nature, and security and there isnt a single right answer.

 

[Suedan]

I'm not sure if you will be able to click on this link, I found it helpful to have a better idea of how to identify predators.
https://poultry.extension.org/artic...gement-for-small-and-backyard-poultry-flocks/

 

[cmom]

I know how upset you are right now, but please don't get more upset over that comment. It's clear that you normally don't have an open coop at night, and that rare night turned out to be the wrong time.
In a perfect world, this would never happen. In my world, it does once in a while, and then it's about luck, some good, some not. Many of us have lost birds through 'misadventure' or whatever you want to call it, because things aren't always perfect.
Hang in there!
Mary

I agree with Mary. It could have been any predator. I had a fox during the day dig under a gate to a pen kill a bird and drag it out and then go back for another. It did this 5 times before I saw it and I had 5 birds laying on the ground out side of the coops. I did use one of the dead birds to catch the fox and then I put concrete under all of the gates. Just keep checking your camera. I have had predators kill birds and then not show back up for a couple of night then there it was. Keep your camera going. I have several cameras and have caught a lot of predators on them over the years. Good luck...

 

[Friendly_Lurker]

Poor birds. I would suggest getting a NightEye, it’sa blinking red light that’s solar powered and you put it on all your predator sized entrances and they stay away.

 

[cmom]

Poor birds. I would suggest getting a NightEye, it’sa blinking red light that’s solar powered and you put it on all your predator sized entrances and they stay away.

Not necessarily. My game cameras all have a red glow and the predators look right at them sometimes. A coyote.

 

[Folly's place]

Predator 'repellents' don't work for long. Spend time and money on the safe coop and run, electric fencing if possible, and game cameras for their entertainment value, at least.
Mary

 

[aart]

Poor birds. I would suggest getting a NightEye, it’sa blinking red light that’s solar powered and you put it on all your predator sized entrances and they stay away.

Nope.

Predator 'repellents' don't work for long. Spend time and money on the safe coop and run, electric fencing if possible, and game cameras for their entertainment value, at least.
Mary

Yes!!