Missing bird...

[Michelle2639]

I knew this would happen eventually but I didn't expect it after only a year of free ranging. I'm missing a bird. Yesterday morning I was in the house and heard a couple of different squawks that sounded a little strange,the dogs perked up too. We went out to investigate and saw nothing. Last night when it was time to close the coop, I did my normal head count and am missing one of my girls. I looked again this morning and can't find any sign of anything. I'm thinking that since it was broad daylight, it probably was a coyote or fox. We live plopped down in the middle of our own 40 acres of woods and swamp and then have neighboring farms and woods around us so I doubt I'll see anything. It has me second guessing on free ranging, but I know they're happier being able to do so. I've left the girls in their run today and will for a few days, in case the predator is hoping for another easy meal. Of course, the hens are being very dramatic having to be locked up today!

 

[sourland]

Be on watch with a gun about the time that you think the last bird was taken. Predators tend to be creatures of habit.

 

[Michelle2639]

Thanks. Good idea.

 

[julesisthehen]

However gross it seems, you can buy bobcat urine, and spread that around the perimeter where your chickens range, because it seems to deter predators like foxes and coyotes when they think a cat is around that will go after them.

 

[Michelle2639]

Thanks for the idea, I may try it. I think, for right now, I'll keep them in their run until just a couple hours before dusk, so they won't wander too far. They've been very unhappy being confined the past couple of days