Xochitl, one of our muscovy hens went missing yesterday afternoon. She was in an enclosed area (not enclosed overhead) with a very large and aggressive muscovy drake (goose size), another muscovy hen and 9 chickens. We have some bald eagles in our neighborhood (we live on the water - Puget Sound). Lately, they've taken more interest in our yard (one acre wooded lot). They chitter back and forth up in the trees all day - very active.
There were plenty of easy pickings for any predator: stupid polish and buckeyes, dominiques, and a java. Only predator we've ever seen was coons. But they come out at night - never seen them during day.
Xochtil liked to hang out on top of the coop (8' high). That may have made her an easy target.
Anyway, there is no trace of Xochitl. She's a large, very strong bird. She'd be tough to haul off without a fight. We can find no feathers or blood. No carcass. In short, no sign of a struggle. The top of the coop is white, corrugated PVC. Blood would've shown up clearly.
She's an excellent flyer, so she may have bugged out when she saw the danger. Not sure if she'd know how to get home.
I guess our time had to come, but it's sad. Now the surviving muscovy hen is going to have to deal with a VERY horny young drake (twice her size) all alone.
There were plenty of easy pickings for any predator: stupid polish and buckeyes, dominiques, and a java. Only predator we've ever seen was coons. But they come out at night - never seen them during day.
Xochtil liked to hang out on top of the coop (8' high). That may have made her an easy target.
Anyway, there is no trace of Xochitl. She's a large, very strong bird. She'd be tough to haul off without a fight. We can find no feathers or blood. No carcass. In short, no sign of a struggle. The top of the coop is white, corrugated PVC. Blood would've shown up clearly.
She's an excellent flyer, so she may have bugged out when she saw the danger. Not sure if she'd know how to get home.
I guess our time had to come, but it's sad. Now the surviving muscovy hen is going to have to deal with a VERY horny young drake (twice her size) all alone.
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