Late Afternoon Predator

[CarolB865]

I lost a young EE bantam pullet this afternoon. In the past I've lost 2 EE bantams that were about to lay and a cockerel about the same age as my pullet I lost today.

Today I did find feathers, but on the other's they've just vanished.Same time period on each of them, somewhere around 4 - 7 in the afternoon. I'm moving the fencing I have to not include a small wooded area they like to forage in, as that seems to be where they are disappearing from.

I'm in East Tennessee and haven't a clue what could be getting them. Obviously not a dog as we'd hear that. I'd love to set a trap but not sure what I'm trapping for. Anyone have an ideas for this part of the country that is active at this time of day?

 

[bobbi-j]

I'm in MN, so I can't help you as to what might be getting your birds (here it could be just about anything - coon, fox, hawk, mink, coyote), but I will say it seems to me that you might want to consider building them a secure, covered run and locking them in for a while. Any of the animals I mentioned will go over a fence and carry a chicken off. (Not so much a large fowl for hawks, but I would think a bantam?)

 

[Cajunchick3]

Sounds like it could be a fox or coyote since theirs little sign left. I'm currently battling foxes who take my ducks in evening from edge of pond. I'm in La. Hope it's not a fox because their tricky to get rid of. Their smart and when ones gone another takes its place. I shot one but two days later another attack. So sorry for your loss. It really stinks. I'm currently trying to rehab a duck that was bitten Tues. was hopeful yesterday but today she seems weaker.

 

[chickens really]

It does sound like a Fox to me..Way more crafty than a Coyote....


Cheers!

 

[CarolB865]

Thank you for in the input. I know we had a fox around here at one time but haven't seen it in months...but with the way they are just "disappearing" whatever it is is fast and clever. I do have a covered run for them as well, but they're spoiled and enjoy free ranging around the yard. I moved a fence that did give them some woods access to the edge so the chickens can't go into the area anymore. About to fence some other areas as well for their safety.

Thanks again! Fox sounds about right!

 

[chickens really]

Thank you for in the input. I know we had a fox around here at one time but haven't seen it in months...but with the way they are just "disappearing" whatever it is is fast and clever. I do have a covered run for them as well, but they're spoiled and enjoy free ranging around the yard. I moved a fence that did give them some woods access to the edge so the chickens can't go into the area anymore. About to fence some other areas as well for their safety.

Thanks again! Fox sounds about right!

An electric mesh poultry fence might help? I have one to confine my hens in a fenced in area..I never run power to mine. I have two LGD Dogs who are out with my Chickens and Ducks while I free range...A couple of years ago a Fox stole my hen 50 feet away from me as I was watering my garden..My Dog was out and was lured to the barn by the male Fox and the female stole the hen...My Husband Shot the male last fall. Female is still a threat!

Best of luck...

Cheers!