Flock eaten by a Bobcat, one survivor. Now what?

[Coyoteowl]

We started with 8 free range chickens (2 Dominickers 2 Americana's and several of questionable breeding) and one Bard Rock rooster. Over the past 4 months a Bobcat has Decimated the flock. Killing one 20 feet from me while I was letting them out for the day. Well 2 days ago he got my Rooster leaving only one hen. She is now only allowed out while I stand guard with a shotgun, then put back in her run/coop.
Here's my question, She is alone going into the winter, should I give her to a friend who has chickens? or should I keep her in over the winter and let her be the Matron for my new spring flock?
And yes I am actively hunting the Bobcat, can't have an embolden predator coming and going at will, to many grandchildren, small pets, to temp that feline devil! Thanks for any help?

 

[nuthatched]

I'm sorry for your losses, yes, I'd give your last hen to someone with chickens. I was in the same boat, lost all but one of my flock. Good luck getting a bead on that cat!

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

I'm sorry about your losses. I would give your lone survivor to your friend to live with her flock, IF your friend will properly integrate her into the flock so your hen isn't bullied. Then start over in the spring. It is true a new predator may move in after the current bobcat is gone, but the current bobcat has become very emboldened due to its success in catching your chickens for dinner. It will likely continue to lurk in hopes of catching an easy meal.

It may be that you are never able to successfully allow your flock to free-range unless you continue to stand guard with a shotgun, have a guardian dog to protect them, etc. In that case your best solution may be to build a large enclosed secure run where your future flock is safe.

 

[McChooky]

We started with 8 free range chickens (2 Dominickers 2 Americana's and several of questionable breeding) and one Bard Rock rooster. Over the past 4 months a Bobcat has Decimated the flock. Killing one 20 feet from me while I was letting them out for the day. Well 2 days ago he got my Rooster leaving only one hen. She is now only allowed out while I stand guard with a shotgun, then put back in her run/coop.
Here's my question, She is alone going into the winter, should I give her to a friend who has chickens? or should I keep her in over the winter and let her be the Matron for my new spring flock?
And yes I am actively hunting the Bobcat, can't have an embolden predator coming and going at will, to many grandchildren, small pets, to temp that feline devil! Thanks for any help?

My friend free ranges his chickens with predators like coyotes and bob cats all the time and doesn't have a run.He hunts wildlife and replenishes his flock every spring good luck.

 

[cmom]

You need to eliminate the bobcat. I put traps out but the one that killed my birds was coming at night. It made the mistake of coming back. It killed 14 birds. From then on I put electric wires around my coops and pens, good heavy duty netting covering the pens and concrete under the gates all due to losses from predators. Many lessons learned the hard way. I have since seen other predators including bobcats. They know the electric wires are there and do avoid them Good luck...

 

[cmom]

I did eliminate the bobcat that killed my birds. They don't give up and will keep coming back for more once they make a kill. This one didn't eat the birds it just killed them.

 

[catballou]

My friend free ranges his chickens with predators like coyotes and bob cats all the time and doesn't have a run.He hunts wildlife and replenishes his flock every spring good luck.

That's horrible.

 

[McChooky]

That's horrible.

I agree 100% but some people like to do it the easy way. No coops or runs to build or clean.

 

[Chik_8]

We started with 8 free range chickens (2 Dominickers 2 Americana's and several of questionable breeding) and one Bard Rock rooster. Over the past 4 months a Bobcat has Decimated the flock. Killing one 20 feet from me while I was letting them out for the day. Well 2 days ago he got my Rooster leaving only one hen. She is now only allowed out while I stand guard with a shotgun, then put back in her run/coop.
Here's my question, She is alone going into the winter, should I give her to a friend who has chickens? or should I keep her in over the winter and let her be the Matron for my new spring flock?
And yes I am actively hunting the Bobcat, can't have an embolden predator coming and going at will, to many grandchildren, small pets, to temp that feline devil! Thanks for any help?

There are a couple options, you can eliminate the bobcat, keep the hen, and get her some friends (chicks or adults whichever you prefer). You can also give the hen away if you do not want to keep any more chickens or you want to start fresh (also eliminate the bobcat to prevent future problems with your new birds). In both situations if you still want chickens I would definitely look at some ideas to prevent the situation again. Enclosed runs, chicken tractors, guard dogs etc. Good luck!