- Jun 3, 2014
- 47
- 7
- 64
I went outside this morning to feed my 3 lovely barred rock ladies, my wonderful rooster and my 2 teenagers. To my horror, they were ALL DEAD! Feathers everywhere, no blood. Bodies were intact, no heads missing or gutted or anything like that.
The bottom latch of the run gate was open, allowing about 6" of space between the gate and the wall that feasibly something could squeeze through. But what?!?!? It would be much harder getting out, because it would have to pry the gate open inward. I saw no footprints--either human or animal. No digging,
What sort of predator would just KILL, and not eat? There were even 6 eggs in the nestbox! The only animal I've seen in my area are cats (which Seamus the rooster would set to flight instantly!) and dogs...but all are big, and couldn't fit through that small opening... or close a gate behind them either for that matter.. and 1 armadillo who lives in the drainpipe. But they don't eat chickens. Do they?
I am completely devasted. All my birds....gone. My backyard is strewn with feathers. And it's just waaaay too quiet.
The bottom latch of the run gate was open, allowing about 6" of space between the gate and the wall that feasibly something could squeeze through. But what?!?!? It would be much harder getting out, because it would have to pry the gate open inward. I saw no footprints--either human or animal. No digging,
What sort of predator would just KILL, and not eat? There were even 6 eggs in the nestbox! The only animal I've seen in my area are cats (which Seamus the rooster would set to flight instantly!) and dogs...but all are big, and couldn't fit through that small opening... or close a gate behind them either for that matter.. and 1 armadillo who lives in the drainpipe. But they don't eat chickens. Do they?
I am completely devasted. All my birds....gone. My backyard is strewn with feathers. And it's just waaaay too quiet.