Need help identifying what may be taking my chickens

[NevadaEmma]

I have a flock of about 15 chickens. I keep them behind an electric fence most of the day, but let them out for a few hours before the sun goes down. I have had three chickens go missing. There were a mess of feathers on one of the small birds, about 4 months old. I could find nothing to indicate a struggle with Buff Orphington who was about the same age at the time she went missing.

Today, very shortly after I let the chickens out I heard a tremendous ruckus from all the chickens. I quickly went over to them and could find nothing except a bunch of excited chickens. They all made their way on their own accord into their fenced in area. I started counting them and could not find one of the Wyandottes. She is about 5 months old, just started laying eggs.

My neighbor has feral cats which stalk the birds. We also live in an area with many hawks.

I can find no carcasses, no blood. I found a couple of the Wyondottes feathers, but none of the Buff Orphingtons.

Thanks

 

[CluckerFamily]

Do you have fox in your area?

 

[cmom]

My suggestion would be a camera if you have one. That way you will know what has been lurking. Kind of appears to me like a fox. This is the time of the year when the fox kits born last spring that are now hunting on their own. I have been seeing some kits here that are about the size of the adults. Here is a rabbit I see quite regularly I call Thumper. I have seen one of the fox kits chase Thumper but so far hasn't caught it. This is a short video and the fox appearance is quite quick. Good luck...

 

[NevadaEmma]

Do you have fox in your area?

No foxes, but we do have coyotes. They are rarely seen during the day. I always feel so terrible when this happens. But I do think there are great benefits for the chickens to free range. If it is a cat, then I can figure a way to deal with it, but if it is a predator from the air then I may have to rethink my fenced in area.

Thanks for the reply, yes I would love to get a camera to watch them Hubby said he is looking into it.