I've had my fair share of struggles as a modest, early chicken keeper—one hen stolen, and my beloved rooster killed by a stray dog that jumped from a construction vehicle. Both were dear pets to me. May they rest in peace—my Rhode Island Red and my sweet Splash Marans mix rooster.
Yesterday around 6:30 PM, I noticed no chickens had returned to the coop (they free-range during the day). My husband went out searching and managed to find one. (Moderator, please help hide the photos if they’re too graphic.)
As of now, all four of my remaining chickens are gone—taken within a two-hour span.
That means I have 0 chickens. Maybe one or two might return by daylight, but right now it’s looking grim?
The thing is—we don’t have the usual suspects here. No foxes, no cougars, no raccoons. Nothing like that. I do suspect a human might be involved. Someone has been targeting me—did he release dogs? Did he do this?
I just need to know what kind of predator I’m dealing with, my first inclination is a canine with human assistance. This is just heartbreaking, heart wrenching, yes I feel like time doesnt go by fast enough for dawn- so I can search through acres of property to find anyone who is alive.
Yesterday around 6:30 PM, I noticed no chickens had returned to the coop (they free-range during the day). My husband went out searching and managed to find one. (Moderator, please help hide the photos if they’re too graphic.)
- It’s now 5:30 AM, and I’m about to go out and see what else I can find once the sun rises.
- There were no feathers scattered around. No sign of a struggle. Just a dead chicken in the aggressive neighbors property.
- Whatever it was didn’t even eat the bird—just tore through the skin and left it there. The incision looks clean and smooth in the photos.
As of now, all four of my remaining chickens are gone—taken within a two-hour span.
That means I have 0 chickens. Maybe one or two might return by daylight, but right now it’s looking grim?
The thing is—we don’t have the usual suspects here. No foxes, no cougars, no raccoons. Nothing like that. I do suspect a human might be involved. Someone has been targeting me—did he release dogs? Did he do this?
I just need to know what kind of predator I’m dealing with, my first inclination is a canine with human assistance. This is just heartbreaking, heart wrenching, yes I feel like time doesnt go by fast enough for dawn- so I can search through acres of property to find anyone who is alive.
