Goose vanished

[Solomonscoupons]

So... I have to raise a few points here. I'm still flexible and I still could be wrong...

I have experienced both bird of prey predators AND dogs in the neighborhood being culprits. When it was dogs that attacked my birds, there was always remains, blood, viscera around right where they were grabbed every single time. Every dog attack this was constant. A dog is 'more likely' (but not guaranteed to) also start 'dismantling' right there.

But with the bird of prey 'incidents' there was no sign of anything at all. No blood on the ground. Nothing to track. Birds of prey tend to carry it off somewhere safe away from the ground before they start eating.

...

This has been our experience, too. Coyotes leave a trail of feathers and there’s always been a crime scene where the scuffle took place. An eagle almost got one of our ducks and there was nothing. The goose was huge, though and I’m not sure a bird of prey could carry her off… I’m inclined to agree with an earlier comment about a stealth predator like a cougar. We heard one about 6 weeks ago back in the woods, so that is more likely. It probably just snuck in and got out before my young lgds were even aware.

 

[McChooky]

I started free ranging my chickens last summer but didn't lose any until this spring (2 the same day)Whatever got mine made my birds cautious .They won't free range far from the coop now

 

[Solomonscoupons]

I started free ranging my chickens last summer but didn't lose any until this spring (2 the same day)Whatever got mine made my birds cautious .They won't free range far from the coop now

Mine don’t go far from the coop, either. But predators get bold - the goose was taken right in the barnyard just feet away from the fence to my backyard. I know because the flock never strays out of the barnyard. It’s right up against our backyard fence where the lgds are. We’ll have our property fully fenced soon (time and money…) and until then, I’ve moved the flock into my garden area where they’re better protected. This was a sneak attack.

 

[PatriciafromCO]

So... I have to raise a few points here. I'm still flexible and I still could be wrong...

I have experienced both bird of prey predators AND dogs in the neighborhood being culprits. When it was dogs that attacked my birds, there was always remains, blood, viscera around right where they were grabbed every single time. Every dog attack this was constant. A dog is 'more likely' (but not guaranteed to) also start 'dismantling' right there.

But with the bird of prey 'incidents' there was no sign of anything at all. No blood on the ground. Nothing to track. Birds of prey tend to carry it off somewhere safe away from the ground before they start eating.

...

bird predator strikes for me, I see swirls on the ground from the spot impact and wing span spred out struggle. My thoughts on watching the videos of peoples pets being snatched by 4 legged wild life is they just grab the pet and run off. Dogs will pounce and spend the time to kill on the spot.

 

[McChooky]

bird predator strikes for me, I see swirls on thverything eats e ground from the spot impact and wing span spred out struggle. My thoughts on watching the videos of peoples pets being snatched by 4 legged wild life is they just grab the pet and run off. Dogs will pounce and spend the time to kill on the spot.

I have 4 that stay in the coop after free ranging behind the house last year and being attacked (all survived).My other chickens will only free range out front since that happened and none of it is fenced.I'm sorry for your loss and hope you can find a way to free range them safely.(I have to fence my front now to keep out dogs...)Sorry for your loss!