Hen Missing. Broody?

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Coyotes can snatch chickens without any signs, though sometimes there's a few feathers. They take them far off to eat them.

 

[AHoags]

Coyotes can snatch chickens without any signs, though sometimes there's a few feathers. They take them far off to eat them.

Thanks. That might be my culprit. I haven't seen one for over a year, but they're around. I'm going to have my husband set up his trail cameras to see what might be lurking. It's creepy to think that it was so close to the house during the day. We also have ducks and a small dog (though we keep a very close eye on him).

 

[chicklets81]

One night I had to get chickens in a little earlier than dark. All would go into coop, except one young rooster (about 3 months old at the time?). He refused to go in, and I had no time to chase. Most often when I can't get them in but close the door, they wait for me on their coop steps until I open the door. So I expected him to be waiting for me on the steps when I got home after dark. He was nowhere to be found. I thought I'd find him the next day, doing a victory dance somewhere in the yard, but he was never found. No body, no nothing. Sometimes a predator does a random attack, and leave no evidence.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Thanks. That might be my culprit. I haven't seen one for over a year, but they're around. I'm going to have my husband set up his trail cameras to see what might be lurking. It's creepy to think that it was so close to the house during the day. We also have ducks and a small dog (though we keep a very close eye on him).

I always worry they might take my little dog too. I've lost ducks, and chickens to Coyotes. They are very smart and devious. They will often watch to see when you leave, and will learn your patterns.

 

[Mrs. K]

oh once, I had culled a rooster, went to catch the second rooster, and it took a while...by the time I came back, the coyotes had taken the first rooster. No kidding, not 25 feet away. They are sneaky, and will watch you, and prey on your birds.

 

[AHoags]

oh once, I had culled a rooster, went to catch the second rooster, and it took a while...by the time I came back, the coyotes had taken the first rooster. No kidding, not 25 feet away. They are sneaky, and will watch you, and prey on your birds.

That's crazy. Now, I'm really paranoid. I thought that they would be more afraid of humans, especially in daylight. I happened to walk outside once at 7pm on a 90 degree day and saw one drinking from my pond. I was surprised that it was freely walking around before dusk, but figured that It was probably very thirsty in the heat. It was about 20 feet away from my ducks, but it luckily didn't see them, since they were behind the tall grass and were quiet. I made a commotion and yelled at it, and it immediately ran away. I haven't seen one since, but my missing chicken seems to indicate their continued presence.