Missouri predator of some sort

[MargenPeter]

We live just north of Kansas City, MO. Have a small flock of 7 hens, correction, we did have 7. First year chicken'ers.

My husband built a playpen for them, just off the barn. Using hog-type fencing around the sides and top. We then added chicken wire around the sides (about 3' tall) but not on the top. Made sure the wire went under the bottom edges so nothing could dig in.

We kept the door closed after sundown, then opened it up in the morning to let them free-range. About 3 wks ago-one morning there was one dead chicken in the playpen. Few days later there were 3. No idea how it is getting in, but it's a killer.

We covered the entire playpen w/chicken wire Saturday, had 2 girls left and let them run around while we were working. Went inside to eat lunch, come back out and there is only one chicken left. The other has completely disappeared!

Anyone have any ideas how we find out what is killing our girls? Afraid to get any more until we find out.

 

[GrandmaChickie]

It sounds as if the top is still not covered, in which case, the possibilities are endless, between the crawling, jumping, and flying predators.

 

[nightowl223]

If you can tell us what condition you found the dead ones in, that would help. Many of the local predators have "signature" styles.