Leaving no trace

[Poultrybonkers]

what animal...if its even an animal would take birds in the night and not leave a trace no blood no feathers etc

 

[Squeak61]

Hmmm. Generally animals make a big fuss when stealing chickens. I would assume that most animals would at least make the chickens get feathers everywhere (from startling them).

 

[007Sean]

I agree with Squeak. Might be a 2 legged predator? but even then there should be feathers.

 

[Poultrybonkers]

I agree with Squeak. Might be a 2 legged predator? but even then there should be feathers.

In the last 3 weeks my seramas and duckling went missing no trace and now my lav orp

 

[CntryBoy777]

It may sound strange to ya, but when we lived in Florida we had a silkie hen get snatched without any sign....I heard them and went to investigate and noticed she was the one missing. They were inside a chain-link fence and she was gone with no trace. The next day I searched on our 3 acres and found a spot where there was a pile of feathers and very little else. I did find out the culprit....it was a bobcat...it had left paw prints in the sandy soil there. So, based on my experience, I would lean towards a bobcat, but would still include fox and coyote....they don't always stick to the norm and could still snatch and run without much if any evidence. Also, at night it could be an Owl depending on the size of the prey.
Sure am sorry for your losses.

 

[Poultrybonkers]

It may sound strange to ya, but when we lived in Florida we had a silkie hen get snatched without any sign....I heard them and went to investigate and noticed she was the one missing. They were inside a chain-link fence and she was gone with no trace. The next day I searched on our 3 acres and found a spot where there was a pile of feathers and very little else. I did find out the culprit....it was a bobcat...it had left paw prints in the sandy soil there. So, based on my experience, I would lean towards a bobcat, but would still include fox and coyote....they don't always stick to the norm and could still snatch and run without much if any evidence. Also, at night it could be an Owl depending on the size of the prey.
Sure am sorry for your losses.

Im in ny not a bobcat but had a fox issues at an old house but left piles of feathers and it was a full size lavender orp..unless there giant owls its not that either im starting to think its aliens taking them without a trace lol i mean it makes sense

 

[CntryBoy777]

This may just change your mind about that....

http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/9360.html

 

[Hamiam]

So sorry! Maybe put up a game camera to see what your dealing with. Its almost certain they will return. I'm thinking fox, coyote type predator.

 

[abraga]

Once...i had chickens disappeaing at night. I set a trap. Was an enormous possum. My advice: set a trap. You can also sprnkle flour or cornstarch around you pens and see if they leave footprints. At any rate....the culprit has found a good, easy foid supply and will not stop until your whole flock us gone. Set a trap.

 

[lazy gardener]

More details? One bird at a time? Are they shut in coop at night? Is the coop predator proof? Solid wood floor, or soil floor with complete buried skirt, hdw cloth over windows, pop door closed and secure every night? Do you do a beak count when locking up for the night? Is pop door left open to a run at night? Is the run secure with skirt, and welded wire over top?

I'm thinking bobcat or fox. Possibly large coon.