Four legged or Two Legged predation?

[rrgrassi]

I went to go feed my little flock of 7 this morning...well all I found were two left. I have two hens left now.

Someone or something took my rooster and 4 pullets that were not quite to the egg laying stage.


Here is what I know: There was no sign of a fight. No feathers, no blood. It's like they were never around. We do have bobcats and coyotes around, but I have not seen them around. We have coons and possums, but I shoot them.


They were around last evening though.

The four pullets did have thier wings clipped so they could not fly out of the open run.

The rooster and two older hens did not have thier wings clipped, and they had free run of our small two acre lot.


Now I get to replace a rooster and 4 pullets.

Any ideas?

Thanks!!!

 

[dainerra]

it could be either. Are the birds in a secured coop at night? When they are sleeping, chickens are easy pickings. So fox/coyote/coon, can pretty much just pick them up and carry them off. There might not be any sign of a struggle. The same goes for human theft.

 

[rrgrassi]

No, they are not closed up at night. The coop door is about 12 in wide and 18 in tall. It is 3 ft off the ground. It is a converted rabbit hutch.

I find it strange that 5 can disappear at one time. I have encountered coon and possum predation, and there is usually a telling sign somewhere. Coyotes and foxes like to grab and go. I know a coyote can clear a five foot fence.

If I had the money I would get a game cam. Wifie lost her job, so we now rely on my wages and her unemployment. She is looking for a job, but nothing out there at this time.

Thanks for your reply!!

 

[yinepu]

to lose 5 in one night I would have expected for you to find at least one pile of feathers or a trace of blood.. makes me wonder if you had a human predator

had it been just one or two without a trace I would have said fox or coyote

 

[dainerra]

This time of year, a lot of predators are going to still have young with them, especially raccoons. So, you think that each coon grabs a bird and walks right out the door....

I'd fix the coop to close them up at night. Chickens are just too helpless at night.

 

[Eggcessive]

If you have all of those predators around, I would definitely be closing my chickens up at night rather than buying a gamecam.

 

[mrpekinduck]

Foxes usually only take one bird at a time put have been known to go crazy and kill tons of birds scattering their carcasses over 1/2 mile area.

 

[JD4570]

From what I read my bet it was a two legger that got your chickens. You need to secure them.I live in Texas too and I've started padlocking my coop.

 

[Weiden Farm]

I agree w/ Two legged evil person

 

[chkn]

This is a bad time of year because predators range more. There are young adult predators going on their own for the first time too. You have to secure them at night. A fox could have made several trips and carried off the dead. Hey, any strange human or animal foot prints? Check your perimeter. You can always try a game cam if your real curious. I have my chickens pad locked at night for both two and four foot predators.