My Matt

[queeniechick]

We lost my rooster Matt this morning. Not sure if it was a coyote or fox, but it had to be watching. I had just gone in the house for a minute and Matt was gone. He had such a great personality and died protecting the hens.

I never thought I would be so attached to a rooster....very sad


RIP Matt!!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Good rooster. That's how most of them go - protecting their flock. Most are brave souls.
Polish are more susceptible from poorer range of vision.

 

[AK Baha]

Sorry for your loss.Hope the coop is predator proof because it will probably be back.

 

[queeniechick]

Thanks, The coop is predator proof. I've been letting them free range for a little bit before I leave for work. I didn't think one would get snatched in the daylight with people around.

 

[queeniechick]

He was a good rooster. Thank you!!

 

[AK Baha]

Thing I would set a trap.

 

[deacons]

So sorry to hear it. He looked like quite the character. Lucky for his girls he was there.

 

[queeniechick]

We are setting a trap tonight. I'll keep you posted if we get anything. Whatever it was ut isn't getting another one.

 

[Lisa W]

I feel your pain. I too lost a hen yesterday, she just vanished into thin air. I let my girls free range in a large fenced in yard during the day and put them in a secure coop at night. Our back yard is very wooded and there is lots of cover for the birds. We have had this arrangement all summer with no problems. I've never seen a predator or evidence of one. I left town yesterday morning and my neighbor was checking on the birds. She called me right before dusk to tell me the Barred Rock, Roxy, was missing. I was sure she was wrong and got my son over there to help her look. The other hen, much smaller, was still there. As you can imagine where this story goes they looked and looked, and my son some more this AM. I am heart broken. She was such a neat bird with tons of personality. I just got her eating out of my hand this week. Do you have any opinion on what could have gotten her? There is not a shred of evidence, no feathers or sign of a struggle. I am getting ready to get 5 more hens and now don't know if they will be safe in the yard. I hate to keep them shut up in the pen, although it is pretty big. They love roaming the yard and scratching everywhere. Quality of life versus safety??? Any advice, and sorry for your loss as well.

 

[zook]

Sorry about the loss of Matt. I lost all my hens to a mink last month.