Patinas
Songster
I discovered yesterday morning that one of my Blue Andalusians was missing. I immediately thought maybe she hadn't made it back to the coop the night before but it was rather dark when I closed the run gate the previous night so that didn't really make sense to me. Also, I've had that happen once before where a hen didn't make it back in and spent the night outside but I discovered her hanging out near the coop the next morning. No sign of this hen anywhere.
The day before it was dark and rainy all day and while I did let them out to free range, I nor our dog were outside with them much due to the rain. So I got to thinking something must have got her.
I went investigating and looking for any sign of her. I walked the entire property and never found a single feather or sign that she ever existed! What I did find though is fresh coyote scat in the middle of the paved private road right near our driveway about 40 yards from the coop.
We've been here about 14 months and I've never seen a coyote or even heard one which is weird since we are rural and have wild rabbits running around. When I lived in the city, I saw and heard them all the time. I know they are here, I just haven't seen or heard any sign of them until I found the scat yesterday.
At this point I'm convinced that a coyote must have grabbed her in the late afternoon before I discovered her missing. Seems that a coyote could definitely carry her off to eat her elsewhere and since she wasn't an overly large hen, would be easy for a coyote to do a snatch and grab.
The other thing with this particular hen is she was always very curious of things that came in the yard including deer. I can see where if she saw a coyote, she may have even approached it.
Never heard any noises from the flock but it is strange that I find fresh coyote scat at the same time I'm missing my hen. Never seen a skunk, bobcat or a fox around here either but I have seen a few raccoons, possums and one young cougar about a mile from our house since we moved here.
I feel bad if that's what happened to her while they were out free ranging because I'm really diligent about keeping an eye on them when they are out but the rain kept me inside.
I'm pretty sure she didn't just wander off so after finding the scat, I rigged up my game camera and have it pointed it at the coop. No signs of anything trying to get into the coop or run but I'm assuming if it is a coyote, he will be lurking now that he's found an easy food source. Hopefully I can catch it on the game camera. Either way, the rifle is loaded and at the ready now that I know one is in the area.
Here is a pic of the scat. Pretty sure this is coyote!
The day before it was dark and rainy all day and while I did let them out to free range, I nor our dog were outside with them much due to the rain. So I got to thinking something must have got her.
I went investigating and looking for any sign of her. I walked the entire property and never found a single feather or sign that she ever existed! What I did find though is fresh coyote scat in the middle of the paved private road right near our driveway about 40 yards from the coop.
We've been here about 14 months and I've never seen a coyote or even heard one which is weird since we are rural and have wild rabbits running around. When I lived in the city, I saw and heard them all the time. I know they are here, I just haven't seen or heard any sign of them until I found the scat yesterday.
At this point I'm convinced that a coyote must have grabbed her in the late afternoon before I discovered her missing. Seems that a coyote could definitely carry her off to eat her elsewhere and since she wasn't an overly large hen, would be easy for a coyote to do a snatch and grab.
The other thing with this particular hen is she was always very curious of things that came in the yard including deer. I can see where if she saw a coyote, she may have even approached it.
Never heard any noises from the flock but it is strange that I find fresh coyote scat at the same time I'm missing my hen. Never seen a skunk, bobcat or a fox around here either but I have seen a few raccoons, possums and one young cougar about a mile from our house since we moved here.
I feel bad if that's what happened to her while they were out free ranging because I'm really diligent about keeping an eye on them when they are out but the rain kept me inside.
I'm pretty sure she didn't just wander off so after finding the scat, I rigged up my game camera and have it pointed it at the coop. No signs of anything trying to get into the coop or run but I'm assuming if it is a coyote, he will be lurking now that he's found an easy food source. Hopefully I can catch it on the game camera. Either way, the rifle is loaded and at the ready now that I know one is in the area.
Here is a pic of the scat. Pretty sure this is coyote!