I'm so sad! I've been free ranging my four pullets. I raised them from peeps and they are/were 18 weeks old now. Two Blk Australorps and two Buff Orps.
I let them out Thursday at noon. I went out near dark as always. Every evening prior, all 4 would be in the upper coop in the communal nest box. It was empty.
I went back around 10pm. Still empty.
I have left the coop open 24/7 since then hoping they would show up. All are still gone without a trace. No feathers, nothing.
I live on 14 acres with a ton of woods all around. I've trapped/killed 7 raccoons in the past months.
I'm really bummed out about this. I'll most likely replace them, but no more free ranging - ever!
I let them out Thursday at noon. I went out near dark as always. Every evening prior, all 4 would be in the upper coop in the communal nest box. It was empty.
I went back around 10pm. Still empty.
I have left the coop open 24/7 since then hoping they would show up. All are still gone without a trace. No feathers, nothing.
I live on 14 acres with a ton of woods all around. I've trapped/killed 7 raccoons in the past months.
I'm really bummed out about this. I'll most likely replace them, but no more free ranging - ever!