My absolute fav ten year old roo, Whitey, died today trying to protect his flock. We believe it is the same predator I wrote about yesterday, (daytime predator) because the scenario was the same; it came in the barn at around 9:00 in the morning; my son left the radio playing loudly in an effort to discourage it, and our immediate next door neighbors were outside working in the yard. They saw nothing. It also killed the hen Whitey was trying to protect. Whitey was a big rooster; probably 7 or 8 pounds; and very strong. I don't think a weasel could kill him, but don't know about a mink. What in the world could be that bold? Now we're thinking maybe a sick raccoon, because unless they're sick you just never see them out during the day. It did not eat Whitey, and very little of the hen. Whitey was the smartest, cleverest, kindest, and bravest rooster I have ever known. Our hearts are broken. He left behind one son (Jack Frost) who looks and acts just like him. I don't know what I'll do if something happens to JF. Please help us figure this out. Anyone else, ideas? A hawk is not a bad thought, either; that might make sense.....Thank you, everyone who has responded so far. Please pray for my Whitey dude, and the hen he died for while trying to protect. We have spent all winter trying to get our flock well after their fight with two serious illnesses, and now that they are well, we have this.....Is there anything to use to get rid of the scent of blood? We're thinking that might be attracting more predators than we usually have had to deal with, even though we can't see any blood, obviously it's there. We're going to try hiding in the barn tomorrow with a load of cherry bombs or something; will see what happens.
