Heartbroken

[Daddy rooster]

Tonight I am absolutely heartbroken! When I went out to collect eggs this morning I discovered feathers all over my yard and I first thought it was molting gone crazy. Then as I came up to the baby coop I saw a horrible sight! Apparently we had a predator last night, it dug under the fence destroying part of the framing around the coop run door. We lost 5 pullets and our beautiful EE Rooster , Casanova they were all 6 months old. Judging from where I found him , he died saving a Mahogany Buff. She was the only one with no injuries. My favorite Cochin was a solid white named Cotton, she died in my arms while I was cleaning her up and putting antibiotic spray on her wounds. We have 2 Cochins and a Salmon Favarolle that are injured and quarantined in a large dog crate and taking up a corner of the big girls coop run. We put the Mahogany in the big coop, hopefully the older girls will take care of her. When my husband got home he took care of the dead birds and double checked the big coop for security problems. He says that the paw prints in the dirt look like a large cat, we have heard rumors that a bobcat had been spotted in the area. Please pray that my injured babies make it!

So sorry for your loss.you sound alot like me.i truly love babies.i have 6,roos an 3hens.ive had them since a week old.i allowed them to curl up by my head on the pillow to sleep.i have a hawk that stalks them.they tell me everyone that raptor is around.they are so smart.years ago a fox invaded the pen an ate all three of my oriental hens.they were beautiful.the rascal tried to get my blue turkey but she was to fast for him.it did manage to get all of her tail feathers.she looked pitiful with her bald lil but.winter is worse on most live stock because they don't have to work as hard to eat.good luck with your others

 

[Daddy rooster]

What sucks about my situation is,its a federal crime to kill or relocate any bird of prey due to the near extinction of their species.i contacted the game warden an them idiots suggested putting a net over my entire property which is 3/4an acre.ima try putting a mannequin out there.will post my findings.i just hope he will think it's me an leave them alone.

 

[Wonder Woman]

I certainly will.
The poor things.
Made me cry just reading about it.
There are a lot of foxes around our town so I lock my girls in a closed up wooden coop. Even if something did get in their yard, they would not be able to get to my girls.

Some people bury bricks deeply around the edge of their fowlyard and have the wire going outward so that it is more difficult to dig under and gain entry.

So sorry for your loss.
Try to not be too sad too long.

 

[Daddy rooster]

I'm sorry for your loss View attachment 1158951 bobcat track rounded toes with claws retracted . I would try and mount it if I was you . It will return be ready.

It will return.it has found a free meal already so that is imbedded in his mind.just like feeding a stray dog.

 

[MollySunshine]

I wish a fast recovery for your chickies and I extend my sympathys to you for the ones you lost. I can't imagine walking up to this sight.

 

[Daddy rooster]

I certainly will.
The poor things.
Made me cry just reading about it.
There are a lot of foxes around our town so I lock my girls in a closed up wooden coop. Even if something did get in their yard, they would not be able to get to my girls.

Some people bury bricks deeply around the edge of their fowlyard and have the wire going outward so that it is more difficult to dig under and gain entry.

So sorry for your loss.
Try to not be too sad too long.

actually several rolls of aluminum flashing will be just as effective with the labor or cost of laying bricks you can also secure the fencing with 20 penny tent spikes along with the flashing

 

[hlhutchinson]

I am so sorry for your loss, sending well wishes for your injured girls

 

[Wonder Woman]

I would not have thought of that.

 

[Daddy rooster]

Found the book.its 100%health care.. disease,infection.etc...so I googled skeletal anatomy of a chicken an it is very descriptive if you look at an understand the function of each bone.just check it out an think about rubber bands holding each bone to the other.tendons are rubber bands that hold the muscle to the bone.examine hum again an note each movement he is able to resist against.

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

OH! I am so sorry! what a terrible scene