First predator attack - sad and not sure what to do next?

[chickenmeg1]

Hey all. I always like to check on my flock in their coop at night, and last night was no different. However, I noticed that one of my Golden-laced Wyandottes was missing. This has never happened before. I found lots of feathers about 15-20 feet from the coop, but that's it. We live in a rural area in NW Georgia, and have about 10 acres of land. The chickens have lots of areas to 'hide' in, including structures in our yard as well as lots of shrubbery. This attack would have happened in broad daylight, and must have happened when I wasn't home because I didn't hear anything (I WFH but went to get the kids from school). In case it helps, the area of attack was under a couple of tall trees, near a carport, but it wasn't by the edge of the woods or anything.

I'd be lying if I said I didn't cry about this or have various nightmares about chickens last night. But, I'm trying to be strong and figure out the best way forward.

Right now, I have everyone locked up in the run. How long should I do this for? How can I determine what the predator was? I raised that chicken since it was just a few days old, and we've always free-ranged them without any problems, for over a year. I realize that's probably just luck, though.

In addition to 4 adult hens, I have 11 young hens and roosters (about 3 months old). I hatched a bunch of eggs back in May, but I'm still trying to figure out which is a hen and which is a Roo (unfortunately, it seems about 8/11 are Roos). I won't be keeping them all, but for now, they are my responsibility. I'm worried about keeping everyone locked up together - the run isn't huge and I feel bad keeping them confined like this. I also know it's important to keep them safe, though.

Any advice?

Thanks.

 

[lagrange chicks]

Sorry for your loss, but that is the price you pay when free ranging. My girls never free range so they no no difference. I give them cut grass/ clover every day besides the garden treats and they seem happy.

 

[TeresaW]

So sorry this happened.

You can get a couple of trail cams to see if you can catch the predator. In the meantime, double check your coop for holes or any other weaknesses. Also consider investing in an electric fence, perhaps.

 

[Loving my girls]

Oh goodness, I’ve been where you are and my heart goes out to you.

In my opinion, life is about living.

If we wrap ourselves n cotton wool will we be safe ?
If we lock ourselves in an oxygen controlled room and eat nothing but sterilised food would we be safe ?

Quite possibly, but would we be happy ? I doubt it.

I would prefer to take my chances in the real world and I think your girls would too.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

I'm sorry for your loss

Right now, I have everyone locked up in the run. How long should I do this for?

Until you figure out what did it and take care of it. Unfortunately, once a predator knows where the buffet is they keep coming back, and sometimes will bring friends.

In case it helps, the area of attack was under a couple of tall trees, near a carport, but it wasn't by the edge of the woods or anything.

This has no bearing on anything, most predators take the opportunity when they see it. I had a coyote run through my yard (unfenced and rural) with me, my husband, and our 2 dogs outside and snatch one of my ladies in the middle of the afternoon. It came back the next morning for another helping and got shot.

 

[chickenmeg1]

So sorry this happened.

You can get a couple of trail cams to see if you can catch the predator. In the meantime, double check your coop for holes or any other weaknesses. Also consider investing in an electric fence, perhaps.

Thank you - I'll look into the cams. We live in the woods so I'm sure there are lots of predators around. Could be anything, I suppose!

 

[chickenmeg1]

Oh goodness, I’ve been where you are and my heart goes out to you.

In my opinion, life is about living.

If we wrap ourselves n cotton wool will we be safe ?
If we lock ourselves in an oxygen controlled room and eat nothing but sterilised food would we be safe ?

Quite possibly, but would we be happy ? I doubt it.

I would prefer to take my chances in the real world and I think your girls would too.

Thanks for your kindness. I'm sort of with you on this... I think I'm going to keep them confined for a few days. Or, at least let them out only with supervision. After that, I may just have to take my chances. The whole reason I got chickens was to free range them on our property, so I didn't build the run as a permanent housing situation.

 

[DBeaver]

I had a Hawk fly in and take my only hen that was still laying. She was 10' from the Rooster and he didn't do his job. I have Wyze cameras around the house so I was able to see what did it. In another instance I had a Fox take my mother hen when she protected her babies. Once again the camera was so valuable as I was able to identify what killed her. If I didn't have the cameras, both kills looked almost identical, I wouldn't have been able to guess.

Recently have a Hawk cruising my coop. Luckily I've been trying to befriend the crows, they have been chasing the hawks, but anytime my flock is out of their run I realize they may not all come home.

 

[Loving my girls]

Thanks for your kindness. I'm sort of with you on this... I think I'm going to keep them confined for a few days. Or, at least let them out only with supervision. After that, I may just have to take my chances. The whole reason I got chickens was to free range them on our property, so I didn't build the run as a permanent housing situation.

I’m afraid I got caught up in the “free range” thing and didn’t mention the felon at large. If you have a camera it would help identify it. Most felons return so a camera would see it and you can do what’s necessary.

 

[lagrange chicks]

I had a Hawk fly in and take my only hen that was still laying. She was 10' from the Rooster and he didn't do his job. I have Wyze cameras around the house so I was able to see what did it. In another instance I had a Fox take my mother hen when she protected her babies. Once again the camera was so valuable as I was able to identify what killed her. If I didn't have the cameras, both kills looked almost identical, I wouldn't have been able to guess.

Recently have a Hawk cruising my coop. Luckily I've been trying to befriend the crows, they have been chasing the hawks, but anytime my flock is out of their run I realize they may not all come home.

A short time after I posted here that I don't free range I look out the window towards the chickens a see a large hawk (believed to be a Ferguson hawk, bigger than a redtail) on the ground 10 feet from the chicken run, chickens were hiding under the coop. No doubt I would be missing one today if free ranging.