Lost a hen yesterday..

[Ole rooster]

and I don't know what killed her. One of my dogs found her for me. She was a bantam hen. When we found her her head had been eaten off, her left wing was gone and her left side was pretty much eaten. I've tried to get come culprits together but most of them are night hunters. This happen somewhere between 2 and 4 in the afternoon.

She along with 10 other hadn't been here long. She had just started laying and started to be a friendly girl. All I can come up with here in Georgia is a weasel. But I thought they were night hunters. Anybody have an idea what could have gotten her. I'm going to set a trap and see what happens.

 

[Free Spirit]

I'm so sorry for your loss

.

Many nocturnal animals do in fact come out in the daytime. I've seen fox, coyotes, and raccoons at 11 AM. Skunks and opossums at 3 pm. Anything goes if they are hungry enough. If you have hawks, owls, or eagles those are other possibilities for usual daytime predators.

Here is a link to the BYC Learning Center about Chicken Predators & Pests
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/chicken-predators-pests-how-to-protect-treat-your-flock

 

[jcopeland29710]

I feel your pain.

Last weekend I went out to the barn in the early morning and noticed a lot of "white stuff" in the pasture where the horses are. Upon getting closer I realized the white stuff was feathers.

Apparently something (probably wild dogs or coyotes) had gotten into my coop. Before this incident I had 2 Easter Eggers, 2 RIR, 2 Plymouth Rocks, 3 Buff Orpingtons, and 3 leghorns with a RIR Roo for protection. But I guess when there are multiple threats, its each chicken for him/herself.
I lost the three Leghorns, which all laid daily large to xlarge eggs, and one of the RIR hens.
The next evening I wnet out and the hens and rooster were roosting anywhere BUT their coop. So I had to gingerly go around and get them and place them in the coop. The only one that is still not going into the coop is the roo and that is only because he is roosting in a pin oak about 10 feet off the ground. Maybe this weekend I can coax him back into the coop with the girls.
Needless to say, I am making sure the coop is securely closed at night now.

 

[Tash189]

I'm relatively new at homing chickens. I lost one of my girls this morning. I don't know what happened and couldn't see anything obvious.
I don't know if being paranoid but my other girl is scratching her face and it looks really dirty. I tried to brush the dirt off but it is holding fast. Anyone know what this could be?