One chicken missing and the other three dead, which predator?

[Zarzoor]

Really sorry for your loss but glad you joined, Welcome to BYC! My free range process is that I don't let them out that early. Sunset and Sunrise is a bit more risky than mid-day. I'm not saying that you can avoid all risk associated with free ranging, but you can do things that reduce risk like waiting until a bit later to let them out. Mine go out sometime between 12 and 2 and then I'm out with them at sunset to make sure they get into the coop safely for lock up. I've only lost 1 in 20years. And to this day I don't know what it was. It's not possible to trap or kill every single predator out there so even though I'd like to know what it was, it's only my curiosity. I did this same thing and started a thread and most everyone said dog. Yet it for sure was not a dog. Possibly Owl, Hawk, Racoon or Fox. I have seen a Racoon on my trail cam at night but it stopped trying when it just couldn't get into my coop. If you have a dog for daytime protection that will really help. I hope you do start a new flock, good luck!!

Thank you so much, we’ve seen foxes around before so I’m guessing that was it looking at the replies…I’ll be sure to try your routine once I start a new flock. Thank you for your help!

 

[McChooky]

Thank you so much, we’ve seen foxes around before so I’m guessing that was it looking at the replies…I’ll be sure to try your routine once I start a new flock. Thank you for your help!

I've only free ranged since last summer and lost 2 when my dogs weren't out.You need a dog thats trained to protect your chickens.
Its worth the effort to train one

 

[lithiachick]

I always thought of Foxes as opportunists, but now I believe they can be pretty patient creatures. Watching for hours or even days. They are a little more brazen if they have kits to feed. The one we have around is a midday killer, so now the chickens only come out of the run for about an hour before roosting time, and only under direct supervision. I had my first flock free ranging all day for about 6 yrs with nothing happening. We had many predators at that time and still do including; bobcat, owls, hawks, and more recently a pair of eagles. Lucky for me, our coop and attached run is a fortress and my biggest worry is falling tree limbs.