Missing Hen

[bethmikulic]

I have had my chickens for about 6 months. They just starting laying eggs last week. Two days ago I lost my first hen; she vanished without a trace. They are free range most of the day however the property is fenced in with chicken wire. They go into a horse stall where they have a coop at night but they sleep up on the wall of one of the stalls. I searched the property and found no carcass or feathers. Does anyone have any idea what most likely took her? I'm devastated to have lost her She was a Plymouth Rock hen so she was pretty large for anything to have grabbed her and flown away plus there were no feathers anywhere.
Thanks in advance for any information you may have to help!!

 

[centrarchid]

Larger bird removed without feathers as evidence indicative of something like a coyote or even bobcat. Both likely present but former more abundant. Either will return. Pen remainder up ASAP. The fencing you have will not stop them from topping it. Consider switching over to a chicken tractor setup or even electrified poultry netting if free-range foraging still of interest.

 

[bethmikulic]

Thank you for your response. They have a nice, large coop but they only lay their eggs in there. They have preferred to sleep up on the walls of the barn. I guess I am going to have to make them now!