One turkey lost

[snewman]

What predator is big enough to carry off an 18 week old BBW tom? I think these guys are weighing well over 25 pounds now. I had 8, now I have 7. There is no sign of a feather pile, carcass, etc, no injuries on the other birds. I have never seen stray dogs around, although we do have raccoons in the barn and I hear coyotes at night. The disappearance took place (I think) during the day, as all were accounted for Friday night at bedtime, then one was missing by Saturday night at bedtime. They get shut up in the coop at night, whether they like it or not. I can't think what might have gotten him in daylight (maybe a human?) without leaving any trace of a struggle.

 

[Pavo Royale]

You got coyotes in your area? A group of them could do it.

 

[longranger]

IMHO any predator except a human would leave physical evidence. No way coyotes single or in a pack are going to possibly chase, kill and carry off a big turkey without leaving a feather trail.

 

[bee_wrangler]

I am thinking human... if it was an animal there would be some sign of struggle, like loss of feathers you would think.

 

[chickenannie]

I think fox! They are incredibly sneaky -- you wouldn't know you had them, but they are there. Even though they're nighttime predators, we see them in the daytime too, and this cold weather makes them very hungry!

 

[snewman]

The lack of any feather trail is what has me stumped. I just worry that perhaps he's stuck somewhere, still alive. I mean, if he's dead, he's dead, but I'd hate for him to just starve or suffer from some injury. I've looked everywhere I can think he could possibly have gone. It wouldn't be all that big a stretch to think a person could have taken one. They're visible from the road, and lots of people stop to fish at that creek that borders our property and the poultry yard. I hate to think that of people, but now that I think back, a couple of times earlier in the summer I felt I was missing a cornish X or two before I processed them. I had 40, so I just chalked it up to a miscount, but as I started working my way through them and thought I knew for sure I had 17 left to go, suddenly I was done after only 15. Hmm.