Help! Vanishing chickens?

[Mellowmalt]

I would think this was most likely a bird. Hawk, Eagle, Owl etc.

The reason I say this is because a Fox will always leave traces of feathers behind whereas a bird will grab the chicken and carry it off without a trace.
A fox will cause a commotion whereas a hawk will grab a bird without the flock even noticing what just happened.

 

[Isaac 0]

The reason I say this is because a Fox will always leave traces of feathers behind

I've had more than several birds killed by foxes, there was no trace of the bird with each individual kill.

 

[NorthEastGameBirds]

I would think this was most likely a bird. Hawk, Eagle, Owl etc.

The reason I say this is because a Fox will always leave traces of feathers behind whereas a bird will grab the chicken and carry it off without a trace.
A fox will cause a commotion whereas a hawk will grab a bird without the flock even noticing what just happened.

In my personal experience I’ve had a fox come throughout the night taking the hens one by one, carrying them soft mouthed back to its den. No feathers just CCTV

 

[Little white duck]

Question. How do I keep ducks safe from foxes? Where I live now there are few foxes due to the dogs and roaming wild dogs. But I am going to move and where I'm going is like a fox heaven. So my flock of duck are in definite danger.

 

[CLSranch]

Based on all you said, it sounds to me like your culprit is a fox. Foxes are very sly and stealthy, usually even more so than coyotes. They watch and wait for an opportunity, then they quickly grab and run. If you happen upon the exact spot the fox grabbed a chicken, you might see a few feathers. Otherwise, yes chickens simply vanish without a trace. Please do keep your remaining chickens locked up until you figure out what to about the predator. Otherwise it will continue to hunt them one by one until they are all gone. Very sorry for your losses.

Bobcats can do the same even in the day time and you'll never see them.

Question. How do I keep ducks safe from foxes? Where I live now there are few foxes due to the dogs and roaming wild dogs. But I am going to move and where I'm going is like a fox heaven. So my flock of duck are in definite danger.

I'd start trapping before I let the ducks out. Also you can have predator proof house for at night but during the day would depend on whether you want to build a huge run that is also predator proof or let them play in the pond.

 

[Jmwah_12]

Bobcats can do the same even in the day time and you'll never see them.

I'd start trapping before I let the ducks out. Also you can have predator proof house for at night but during the day would depend on whether you want to build a huge run that is also predator proof or let them play in the pond.

Sorry for the late response to this thread but she luckily showed back this morning! She had a run around the neighborhood and my neighbors returned her! And yea I put her into the coop so she can’t escape anymore! I also do suspect like a fox or coyote because I have had some run ins with coyotes and my chickens so that’s why I got that huge run for em.

 

[Jmwah_12]

Sorry for the late response to this thread but she luckily showed back this morning! She had a run around the neighborhood and my neighbors returned her! And yea I put her into the coop so she can’t escape anymore! I also do suspect like a fox or coyote because I have had some run ins with coyotes and my chickens so that’s why I got that huge run for em.

I also have traps set out just in case and it does help with catching opossums and raccoons etc.

 

[cmom]

I have had the most issues with foxes and as others have said they don't necessarily leave a trail. A fox took my special bird during the middle of the day while I was distracted. I never did find her body but the fox kept coming back and I did catch it.
This was my special Gladys. She was 3 years old when the fox got her.

 

[Little white duck]

Where I live foxes are protected by law. Trapping is not an option. So I was thinking about electric poultry netting. Does anyone have some luck/experience with it?

 

[CLSranch]

I was thinking about electric poultry netting.

Good idea. I don't use it but I have heard many a good thing about them.
Also a LGD may be another good option.