possibly a raccoon?

[lindy]

I havent seen any predators, only letting out my flock when im home and i sold the silkies. I have two roosters and 11 hens, generally when they sound the alarm they run into the coop or barn but usually only with arial predators. My dog has been staying by the barn when im home too... so far nothing... I did loose a hen sadly, she was dead under the perch on the poop board. No ida what happened. I didnt see any lice but im not sure if they would stick around if the bird is dead. Such a bummer around 2-3 years old. Her sisters seem fine. She didnt molt yet but either did one other, they have broken feathers ect but still layin.

 

[Sunshine_Chick]

Once coon have a food source they know of they can become very brazen, couragous, persistant.

Yup have to kill them & even then you're just thinning the herd. If you kill enough of them you'll have a year or two with few problems if any, but you have to consistently trap & kill.

 

[ChickenFlockers]

Yotes are my problem. Only predators that leave Feather Piles are Yotes and Foxes and Bobcats. They figure they can outrun you. Others take immediately to some secluded spot and then ... defeather them. Not close up. They don't want to be discovered because they don't move Fast. Birds of Prey just Nail them and carry them away. Little to no evidence.

 

[McChooky]

I lost 2 young pullets a couple years ago but all I saw was crows or ravens around them.They were all around them like they were having a meeting or rounding them up.THe rooster was on the fence sounding alerts (some were on the fence watching the chickens but others were on the ground) They took off when they saw me and have never been back. I'll never trust them again.

 

[ChickenFlockers]

I lost 2 young pullets a couple years ago but all I saw was crows or ravens around them.They were all around them like they were having a meeting or rounding them up.THe rooster was on the fence sounding alerts (some were on the fence watching the chickens but others were on the ground) They took off when they saw me and have never been back. I'll never trust them again.

You really got Lucky my Friend ...
Crows are a little smaller than Chickens. Really only want to steal their " Food " .
RAVENS are bigger than Chickens [ at least where I live ]
We don't worry about the Crows... Mammas and Roosters make short work of their visit.

HOWEVER ... RAVENS are Evil Varmint's ! They will take your little Chickies before you can make a MOVE ! AND ... once they discover them ... They'll be back. We've had several Losses due to RAVENS. Only thing worse are Birds of Prey ... they are always looking for a limited... Colonel Chickens " Fast Food Takeout " .

 

[lindy]

well, i did the same thing. stupid me. but i was just in the house for maybe 5 minutes. My svart honas got attacked by something. I thought i lost two as they were all missing but two didnt come back. Finally after a few days the pullet came back. So i lost the young cockerel. There was a few feathers where it was caught then in the trees i seen another pile, but after that i couldnt find anything. This was mid-day. the older birds went into the barn.
I was told there is a bobcat around and she had kittens this summer, so thinking maybe one of her kittens that was weaned and was just super lucky. My dogs didnt hear anything either but they went with me to the house.

So for the last few weeks when i let the birds out I tie my LGD near them. Im assuming that works or the cat moved on?

My dog did get a possium but they dont look fast enough to catch a bird.