Mystery Loss

[HeyHo]

I have a very secure coop and run. After losing a hen to a hawk during free-range time this spring, I created a fenced-in area in the deep woods behind my run. It is not completely predator proof, but it has contained and protected my flock for semi-free range time. I have garden netting over some of the fenced-in area to keep the chickens in and the hawks out. But it is so heavily treed, I feel pretty good about the hawks.

With a mixed flock, I have some conflict between my 1.5 year old hens and my 4 month old pullets. I have, occasionally, found one of the "littles" outside of the fenced area or caught in the netting after being chased by the older hens.

Yesterday, while I was nearby at about 5:30 p.m. (so full daylight), there was a commotion in the run and the fenced yard. When I ran out, one of the littles was wandering about. Everyone else was fine. But my head hen (a very heavy barred rock) was just missing. Not a feather anywhere. No disturbance whatsoever. Some of the netting over the fenced in area was down, but that was likely from the pullet that escaped.

We searched everywhere but my poor hen seems to have disappeared without a trace. Our neighbors on all sides were out and about on their decks, swing sets, walking dogs, etc. at the time. No one saw a predator of any kind OR my hen.

Question: how likely is it that a daytime predator in a suburban area could swipe a large hen without a trace? Or did she make a break for it to brood over a hidden nest?

 

[centrarchid]

A raptor would not be able to take such a large hen without leaving signs. A bobcat or your version of Coyote could do it but latter would not like be able to get in from top where you think pullet caused damage. I would check your perimeter more closely to make certain there are no gaps you missed.

Most predators will operate in suburban settings. Your neighbors, if like mine, were to focused on other issues to see anything or predator did not go as far as you think. Bobcats will let you get real close and will sit tight if they think you do not see them.

 

[HeyHo]

Coyote could do it but latter would not like be able to get in from top where you think pullet caused damage

Yes, that's just what I was thinking, we have lots of coyotes (and heard them again last night). But I don't think a coyote could get over a stake/wire fence without any damage.

I will re-check the perimeter to make sure I didn't miss anything. If that yields nothing, perhaps both the hen and the pullet escaped in their pecking order squabble and a coyote got the hen.

 

[cmom]

A coyote jumped over a 5' fence here and killed some of my birds. Some of the birds went over the fence to try to get away from the coyote and the coyote went back over the fence and was chasing chickens around my back yard until I grabbed my shotgun. Unfortunately it had bird shot in it. I shot at the coyote and pretty sure I hit it and it ran off. Here we have a lot of coyotes because nothing preys on coyotes but coyotes will kill other predators if it gets the chance such as bobcats and fox.

 

[HeyHo]

I re-checked everything and there is absolutely no sign of damage to the fencing, no holes or gaps. So something grabbed her from above (red tailed hawk?) or she somehow got out (which she has never done before) and was grabbed while roaming. I suspect I will never know. But I did hear the coyotes again last night and they were close, so close that they stopped howling when I turned on the porch light. So I really hope she didn't decide to go broody and hide a nest.

 

[cmom]

Could have been an owl. I lost several birds to an owl. I then put netting up covering all of my pens. I couldn't figure out what was killing my birds. I couldn't find any place where a predator could've gotten in so I put up some game cameras.

 

[BaaKaaawk]

Based on the size of the chicken you describe and the fact that there is no trace of anything, feathers, etc. I'd absolutely go with a coyote. An owl or a hawk will just take that hen's head off. They leave the body. Fox de-feather them close by, coyotes take the whole bird.

The pullet probably got out, then the hen saw the way and maybe squeezed out and it was bad timing as there was a coyote nearby.

I had a coyote take out 9 hens in under 15 minutes (yes 9!). He thankfully ate his last hen that day.

 

[cmom]

I shut all of the birds in their coops and put one in a cage. The owl showed up. It was a Great Horned Owl. The pictures make it look smaller than it was.

 

[BaaKaaawk]

I shut all of the birds in their coops and put one in a cage. The owl showed up.
View attachment 1875789 View attachment 1875790

No question owls will attack and kill chickens, but they don't carry off the bodies like the OP said happened- only dogs and larger mammals carry off the bodies. Owls just eat the head and neck like hawks do.

Completely agree though that owls are wicked if chickens are out at night (which is why I tell people who think it is "cute" their chickens sleep in trees at night that they're just on a countdown clock until they don't have a chicken anymore).

 

[cmom]

I suggested coyotes in my post previously, post #4.