Missing chickens mystery

[cmom]

Going out now to look more.

 

[McChooky]

Florida does have panthers but I have never seen any around here.

Have you seen any foxes on your camera lately?

 

[cmom]

Yes and coyotes.

 

[Weeg]

Couldn't it be a person? I don't think it's too likey but why would the cam just turn off by itself?

This was my first thought to. I've had SO many predator attacks in my learning curb before BYC. I can't imagine that one predator would take so many birds, leave no trace, be so quick and precise, then not come back the next night?

 

[McChooky]

This was my first thought to. I've had SO many predator attacks in my learning curb before BYC. I can't imagine that one predator would take so many birds, leave no trace, be so quick and precise, then not come back the next night?

A similar disappearance in Texas winded up being coyotes. The guy found no feathers in the coop in the barn every last one of them gone.Steel door was bent and latch gave and the chickens carcasses were found in a nearby field with coyote tracks all around them.Feathers everywhere where they ate them.My guess is the chicken were so terrified they fell into a hypnotic state and let the coyotes grab them.This would ex[lain why there were gone without a trace

 

[McChooky]

I hope you found out what got your chickens.Did any come back later today?

 

[cmom]

I went out and searched the field and pasture today. No feathers or bodies. The way the wire was bent in I think a fox or coyote. I have seen both on my cameras recently. I did put 1x2" welded wire on most of the gates. I'll finish that tomorrow and string some more electric wires. I just went out and checked on the birds. So far everything is ok.

 

[cmom]

I may never know what took the birds and it's very foggy again tonight so probably won't get anything on the cameras.

 

[McChooky]

I may never know what took the birds and it's very foggy again tonight so probably won't get anything on the cameras.

I don't care how much trouble we go to we aren't going to stop all predators all the time.We can only build better and better and learn from our experiences unfortunately.

 

[cmom]

I know it happens but I haven't had any losses for quite a long time. I'm not the average backyard chicken owner. Currently I have around 400 birds minus 10 now. I started keeping chickens around 50 years ago and over the years have had many lessons learned the hard way. This is another lesson.