Mysterious daytime predator?

[dwillis]

We've had bantam chickens free ranging in our backyard (that has lots of trees and bushes everywhere) for about 20 years with no problems, all living to ripe old ages. About a month ago, in one week, 3 disappeared during the day. There was no obvious signs except about 10 feathers from one of the missing chickens. Today about noon I went to check on our last chicken and there was a small pile of feathers and now she's gone. Does that sound like a hawk? Once they know where chickens are do they keep coming back? Is it never safe to have free range chickens again once they know where they live? Do bobcats or foxes come out in the daytime? (There are some in the hills but we're on a heavy-traffic street..)

 

[Sandstorm495]

I am not sure what the predator could be, but it doesn't sound like a hawk. You should set a video camera up to catch the predator on film to see what it was, and stop it before it get;s another one of your chickens.

 

[Nutcase]

Well, since they are bantams, it's quite feasible to consider it a hawk attack. Hawks can come in quietly and snatch a hen away with no mess involved. I think foxes and bobcats are less likely to approach your property because of the traffic you mentioned. If you think it's risky letting them out, keep your chickens under cover for a few days. You might want to also set up some fox traps (where your bantams can't get near them). Good luck!

 

[suttonhollerchk]

Fox in and out without a trace!!

 

[cwcochran1961]

last night for the second time we came home from dinner and the second chicken in about a year has disappeared without a trace. a Cochin hen. no feathers no sign of a struggle.. just gone! Im sick!

 

[Nutcase]

last night for the second time we came home from dinner and the second chicken in about a year has disappeared without a trace. a Cochin hen. no feathers no sign of a struggle.. just gone! Im sick!

Oh I'm really sorry predators are really good at what they do. She couldn't have just wandered off could she?

 

[aoxa]

Could be fox, but my bet is on bird of prey.

Feather pile + missing chicken is their MO.

 

[cwcochran1961]

Well thats what I think. The only other thing that was strange is that one of the screens on the window was pushed out from the inside.and laying on the ground inside the pen about 5 feet away. I don't know if there was a ruckus between the two roosters and she just freaked and ran out, or what.She is one of 3 Cohins we have and she is very timid. Maybe someone ran her off.. Dont know, just hope she comes back.

 

[cwcochran1961]

Well, things are getting interesting. Last night we had an obvious visit from a black bear. Didn't bother the chickens at all, but he had quite the meal at my full bird feeder and drained my small fountain just beside it off about half the water. I know that the bird seed is like candy to them, figured it would happen sooner or later. We keep all the bags of seed inside a locked shed in sealed metal containers, so I dont think they will go there. And the chicken pen is pretty stout with concreate and electric fence, so hopefully the bird feeder will be the only casualty of this overnight visitor.

 

[Jersey Boy]

Take a walk through the woods near your property. If its a fox you should be able to locate a den fairly close to your property. The red fox gives birth to their pups between April and May. They are normally nocturnal but are known to hunt during day light hours to feed new pups. The adults will hunt for their young for approximately 12 weeks. At 12 weeks old the pups will start to join their parents at night learning to hunt on their own.