Now with graphic pics! Predator got 4 cockerels. Feather pics

[MildlyOffensiveChicken]

I let 5 cockerels out at 7am. Been doing it for weeks. They fly out of the electric fence area and back in during the day.

I only found one at 4 when I came back.

3 feather clusters. No carcasses. No blood except maybe on one or 2 feathers.

Two feather clusters were in an open wooded area. The darker pic is in a stand of thick short pine. The property is in a mountain in a very rural area.

This is in NW MT.

What kind of Predator?

 

[neo71665]

Larger predator, maybe coyote, mt lion, wolf, or something like that. Your smaller ones normally don't leave with the whole bird.

I'd expect it will return now it knows where the free meals are.

 

[Rldad1]

I would guess Fox.

 

[MildlyOffensiveChicken]

Larger predator, maybe coyote, mt lion, wolf, or something like that. Your smaller ones normally don't leave with the whole bird.

I'd expect it will return now it knows where the free meals are.

They are moving. Coincidentally I was up there this morning to drop a trailer full of hoop coop materials. The new coop is 1,000 feet away, I plan on building a permanent yard with metal wire and netting over top.

They were all very aggressive birds and I was going to eat them this fall. So I am not as saddened. It was also a learning experience.

I have seen wolf tracks, lots of bear scat. I’ve not heard coyotes. I’m sure there is a big cat about too.

Thanks for the help!

 

[MildlyOffensiveChicken]

I would guess Fox.

We do have red fox up here. Although I’ve never seen one. I’ve seen plenty over the border in Canada.

Would a red fox be able to kill and relocate 4 - 21 week old cockerels?

 

[cmom]

My guess would be a fox. If you have a camera put it up because whatever it was will be back and then you will know what you're dealing with. I love my cameras. Good luck...

 

[FatihSultanMehmet_1453]

I think it's a herd predator attacking your chickens. First possibility wolf pack second possibility coyote pack. If you live in the wild, buy strong dogs on your land. Keep at least 4 dogs.

---

Geri

 

[MildlyOffensiveChicken]

Found the slow growing Swedish on my lower road. Maybe 200 feet from the area he was taken.

Head and most of the insides gone.

Few tracks as it was snowing a bit this morning. Found two odd looking divots. Not sure if a fox or small animal next to the carcass. Looks a bit different than the hundreds of deer trails around here.

 

[HawaiiCoyote]

My first guess is a couple of wolves, maybe a pack.
I am not sure if a fox could take down four cockerels.
(although I don't know much about foxes)

 

[21hens-incharge]

Fox are starting to raise kits. I am betting on fox.

My neighbor saw a red fox carrying a full grown Delaware hen. It was a big hen. Yes they can and will take out cockerels.