I just don’t understand how...

[chickenmomma16]

I had a Wheaten Marans pullet go missing yesterday. Not a feather anywhere. I was in the kitchen looking out at the coop, the window open, and my 2 dogs were loose. She’s just GONE. She was a promising pullet too. She was from non hatchery stock too. Why do all the nice chickens get taken??? Ugh! Take my zillion cockerels I have running around or the old biddy, heck, even my non stop broody. This pullet was going to be the start of my Wheaten Marans for next year.



What’s the best guess of what could of taken her without a trace?? And SILENT? Dogs alway dash over when the cock alerts everyone.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Probably a hawk. We have birds just go missing occasionally. Bobcat too. We had one take a 30 pound turkey off our 2 story deck without a sound while we slept

 

[Northwest_Wannabe]

Could she have just ran away? Got lost? Maybe stolen?

 

[chickenmomma16]

Probably a hawk. We have birds just go missing occasionally. Bobcat too. We had one take a 30 pound turkey off our 2 story deck without a sound while we slept

Could be. We have every predator here. Makes me even more mad that I’ve kept them under lock and key for the last 6months and just started free ranging again under supervision this week. Today is only the 4th time I let them out. Just wanted them to be happy and have a little freedom. ☹

 

[chickenmomma16]

Could she have just ran away? Got lost? Maybe stolen?

I thought about her being stolen but why would they only take one? I have 53 chickens in the coop! I’m off the main road and we know everyone but one neighbor who’s the next driveway. She was a scaredy-cat and always stuck around the coop and under the bush. That’s next to the coop.
This is about how they look when they are out.

 

[nicalandia]

A Hawk

 

[Folly's place]

So sorry!
Might she be roosting in a tree somewhere? Maybe she'll turn up in the morning? Maybe?!
Favorites always go first...
Mary

 

[chickenmomma16]

So sorry!
Might she be roosting in a tree somewhere? Maybe she'll turn up in the morning? Maybe?!
Favorites always go first...
Mary

I walked the tree line and looked everywhere. Zigzags the pasture looking for just a feather even! NOTHING. They weren’t brave enough to go very far away from the coop.

 

[lbgreenfield]

I’m sorry to hear about your hen.

In instances where one of my hens was taken without a trace, it was a fox. Hopefully your coop and run are secure because no matter what predator it was, it will unfortunately be back.

 

[FortCluck]

In my experience hawk attacks leave feathers behind plus all the other chickens would act scared and hide.