Lost 13 chickens in 3 days

[brennancook5]

Hi everybody. I let my chickens free range and don't close the door at night. We left for the weekend, left Friday came back Sunday. When we got back, I noticed some of the chickens missing. I think it was ospreys becuz I found piles of feathers in areas where a bird could fly right in and take one. Any other ideas on what this could have been?

 

[Muffinburgler]

If you don't close your door at night and they also free range alone? Literally anything. Raccoon, bird, possum, bobcat, weasel, mountain lion, etc etc. A pile of feathers is usually a sign of a bird attack though. Unfortunately you can't retaliate against birds of prey, they're protected. The best you can do is try and scare the birds away with shiny disks or scarecrows.

 

[appps]

Yeah if you take no measures to keep them safe it doesn't really matter what took them. They are easy prey and all sorts of animals will work that out till you have nothing left.

 

[drumstick diva]

Now all the predators know where to come for an easy meal and they'll come back again and again till you have nothing left. Obviously free ranging and the open door policy are NOT working out. Are you sure you want chickens? Please read the sections on predators.