Our first hen was in the coop run (six foot fence) mid-day. An eagle flew in and casually dined on her while the dog barked furiously and the other hens cowered in terror. The neighbor had to go into the run and look pretty aggressive before the eagle gave up. We then covered the run enough to keep larger birds out. (But the eagle pair lingered in the woods for about a week afterwards looking for an opening.)
OUr next one was lost when she managed to fly out of the coop, as they do sometimes in those teenage months when they seem capable of testing their wings. My mom's Scotty dog was here and shredded the poor thing before we realized she was out.
We also lost a duck (in it's pen) while I was on vacation. It sounds like it was probably a hawk by the description from the neighbor of the pile of feathers, but it had to swoop in through a fairly small opening and then get out again. It was a bit baffling and really broke my heart because that little duck had overcome so many trials and tribulations in her first year of life. And then we especially kick ourselves when we aren't personally there taking care of things.
And then most recently we lost our feisty rooster who was free-ranging. He just vanished into thin air and we're pretty sure it was an eagle because they are pretty rampant here.
We try, but we just aren't happy keeping them completely locked up during the day, so we're bound to lose some occasionally. They get too much pleasure (and good eats) from foraging and we enjoy watching them (and hanging out with them in the warmer weather).
OUr next one was lost when she managed to fly out of the coop, as they do sometimes in those teenage months when they seem capable of testing their wings. My mom's Scotty dog was here and shredded the poor thing before we realized she was out.
We also lost a duck (in it's pen) while I was on vacation. It sounds like it was probably a hawk by the description from the neighbor of the pile of feathers, but it had to swoop in through a fairly small opening and then get out again. It was a bit baffling and really broke my heart because that little duck had overcome so many trials and tribulations in her first year of life. And then we especially kick ourselves when we aren't personally there taking care of things.
And then most recently we lost our feisty rooster who was free-ranging. He just vanished into thin air and we're pretty sure it was an eagle because they are pretty rampant here.
We try, but we just aren't happy keeping them completely locked up during the day, so we're bound to lose some occasionally. They get too much pleasure (and good eats) from foraging and we enjoy watching them (and hanging out with them in the warmer weather).
