I knew it was going to happen sometime, just the chances when you free range the flock... Yesterday 3 adult silver lace wynadottes, and two younger pullets disapeared... There is a spt with feathers from one silver lace, but no blood or anything else. Just looks like she was moulting and left several feathers there...my guess would be coyotes with so many gone, Tara
I am sorry that happened. I fear that myself. Mostly from hawks and owls. I made a play pen for ours, just so they can feel the green grass under their feet. We used left over shade cloth, ground cloth, poly lock, and training wheels. We attached them to one of those pop up shade things that are used at farmer's markets. (I was cleaning out a greenhouse ripped my leg up on some 'Junk" got mad... then I got the idea. inspiration comes in strange ways. ) They push and shove to get into it. I only let them in it while I am there. Then I push it around so they do not ruin all the grass in one spot. It won't keep out an animal, but it will keep the girls in. And close to me.
I am sorry for your loss. It's hard... Hope you have a trap or a good gun... He will be back if you don't get him..
This time of year in your area, I'd also guess coyotes with that description. A fox will just leave feathers but they are not pack animals and they should have weaned any young ones by now, so I'd expect you to lose no more than one a day to a fox. The other possibility is a bird of prey, but unless they are taking it back to their young, they often eat it on the spot. Again, I would not expect a lot to disappear at once. Wolves also hunt in packs but I doubt they are in your area. Don't totally discount a pack of feral dogs either. A neighbor's dogs would probably leave the bodies around and kill for sport, but feral dogs will eat them. Good luck on this one. Coyotes can be tough.
Sorry about your loss.....My girls have been very lucky.. they are in the pasture with our cows, surrounded by electric fence, and when outside the fence, our dogs are their watchers. R.I.P. little biddies ();
very sorry about losing your chickens. I just lost my beautiful golden laced wyandotte to what I think was a timber wolf, not common here but it was so much larger than a coyote. I saw him carry her away and felt so helpless. I hope you are able to keep your remaining chicks safe, it is a real challenge, but they are so worth fighting for!
Quote:That's why when I'm out working there is always a pistol on my side and a shotgun or rifle close at hand. If I see a 'yote or other varmit with a chicken that critter will die of lead posioning! I just won't tolerate varmits around my animals.
