- Mar 28, 2012
- 13
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UPDATE--
Several days after having no luck locating my missing flock we discovered a den on a neighboring property. It had three separate entrances/exits all littered with feathers. Some I recognized and some from another neighbors flock.
We believe this is just a stash den that they have stocked with food for their kits. Maybe in a few months when we fox proof the coop we'll try again. Right now, Bernadette, the lone bantam that survived is safely tucked away.
Yesterday evening I came home at approximately 6:30pm and saw my whole flock as I walked into the house. My flock consists of 1 barred rock rooster, 3 barred rock hens, 1 australorp hen, 3 black bantam hens (one with gold flecks) 3 white silkies, and 2 Muscovy ducks. This morning my flock failed to trip me as I walked out the door. I have owned all but 1 bantam since they were chicks and that is the only member of my flock I have found. She was pecking around the front yard as usual. She left an egg in the nest box. I have not found the other 10 chickens and 2 ducks. We have had problems with red foxes and even neighborhood dogs but this has me boggled. No feathers, no bodies. We had a storm come through late last night with heavy rain. No tracks be seen due the rain. In the past the dogs wiped out all they could catch but only took a couple home with them. The foxes have always took a few at a time to stretch the food source. We've searched everywhere surrounding our farm and have talked to most of the neighbors. Any suggestions on what could cause this many to disappear?
I guess I should add they would have to go through at least 2 fences (cattle wire) to leave our property unless they waddled off down the long driveway. They have never strayed further than the barn where their roost, nest boxes, and grain bins are kept.
Several days after having no luck locating my missing flock we discovered a den on a neighboring property. It had three separate entrances/exits all littered with feathers. Some I recognized and some from another neighbors flock.
We believe this is just a stash den that they have stocked with food for their kits. Maybe in a few months when we fox proof the coop we'll try again. Right now, Bernadette, the lone bantam that survived is safely tucked away.Yesterday evening I came home at approximately 6:30pm and saw my whole flock as I walked into the house. My flock consists of 1 barred rock rooster, 3 barred rock hens, 1 australorp hen, 3 black bantam hens (one with gold flecks) 3 white silkies, and 2 Muscovy ducks. This morning my flock failed to trip me as I walked out the door. I have owned all but 1 bantam since they were chicks and that is the only member of my flock I have found. She was pecking around the front yard as usual. She left an egg in the nest box. I have not found the other 10 chickens and 2 ducks. We have had problems with red foxes and even neighborhood dogs but this has me boggled. No feathers, no bodies. We had a storm come through late last night with heavy rain. No tracks be seen due the rain. In the past the dogs wiped out all they could catch but only took a couple home with them. The foxes have always took a few at a time to stretch the food source. We've searched everywhere surrounding our farm and have talked to most of the neighbors. Any suggestions on what could cause this many to disappear?
I guess I should add they would have to go through at least 2 fences (cattle wire) to leave our property unless they waddled off down the long driveway. They have never strayed further than the barn where their roost, nest boxes, and grain bins are kept.
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