- Mar 18, 2007
- 13
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Ok here's the story...
about 3-4 months ago, we noticed we were missing 4 chickens. We were going with the "leave the door open" method, so the chickens could come and go as they please. We found 2 birds w/ heads missing and the rest of the body was in tact. After that we started locking up the doors and opening them up in the morning so that the girls can free range. This worked until about a week ago, when we notice one bird was missing. (we do a head count every night) No signs of an attack, but we were definitely short a bird. Then Friday, the hubby went out around 5 well before dusk to feed and water the girls, and he noticed 6 more were missing. We found two outside on a pile of wood and one hiding under the steps to the house. (It was snowing and they didn't want to get their feet wet!) We looked around everywhere. No signs of an attack, no tracks, but there was snow accumulation. I found four feathers of one of the missing birds, and my hubby found a body. The head was missing and a little of the breast meat was gone, but the rest was intact. The other two birds (both bantams) were totally missing. No bodies. This happened in the middle of the day!!!
1) what the heck is killing my chickens?
2) what do I do?
3) I'd like to build a portable shelter for them that doesn't cost a billion dollars and would work over uneven terrain. any suggestions?
I'm so frustrated I can't even tell you! I don't own a gun, I'm not good at trapping and I've never been hunting. Please help!!!
Thanks
about 3-4 months ago, we noticed we were missing 4 chickens. We were going with the "leave the door open" method, so the chickens could come and go as they please. We found 2 birds w/ heads missing and the rest of the body was in tact. After that we started locking up the doors and opening them up in the morning so that the girls can free range. This worked until about a week ago, when we notice one bird was missing. (we do a head count every night) No signs of an attack, but we were definitely short a bird. Then Friday, the hubby went out around 5 well before dusk to feed and water the girls, and he noticed 6 more were missing. We found two outside on a pile of wood and one hiding under the steps to the house. (It was snowing and they didn't want to get their feet wet!) We looked around everywhere. No signs of an attack, no tracks, but there was snow accumulation. I found four feathers of one of the missing birds, and my hubby found a body. The head was missing and a little of the breast meat was gone, but the rest was intact. The other two birds (both bantams) were totally missing. No bodies. This happened in the middle of the day!!!
1) what the heck is killing my chickens?
2) what do I do?
3) I'd like to build a portable shelter for them that doesn't cost a billion dollars and would work over uneven terrain. any suggestions?
I'm so frustrated I can't even tell you! I don't own a gun, I'm not good at trapping and I've never been hunting. Please help!!!
Thanks
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