Predator help.

[Chris-n-Kate]

Were they lined up inside the run or outside? Is it possible they huddled up by the edge in a line as they were attacked? A dog got some of mine and they were scattered but I freerange. I imagine if they were in a line as they got attacked would be the only way a dog would have left them lined up. That being said I think human predator would be more likely though.

 

[Jamited]

While I'll not hazard a guess as to who did it I will make an observation. Last summer a fisher got into my large chicken yard and just went nuts chasing birds around--I lost 6 and all were piled up against the fence with no visible marks. I assume the fisher just caused them to panic and smash into the fence. breaking their necks--it isn't that hard to do with a bird. Whatever broke into your yard may well have done that. Additionally I had one bird that was hunkered down and traumatized as well that never did recover.

sorry to show my ignorance but what is a fisher?

 

[Molpet]

fisher

a 3 ft cousin of weasels https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisher_(animal)

 

[Molpet]

Need to put up a game camera

 

[pamiejune]

This was not a wild animal or any animal predator except for the human kind. There's NO way any kind of animal attack would leave hens neatly lined up in a row like that, even facing the same way!! Their necks were wrung - look at the feathers that were mussed up. It matches where your hands would go when you wring a neck. This was definitely a human and I would file a police report. I would also set up game cams (you can get them fairly cheaply on Amazon - I got mine for about $30 apiece and they ping my phone when they detect movement) to record any possible future attacks. Make sure they have good night vision. My guess is that some sick individual is out randomly attacking animals, trying to scare you, or someone is exacting revenge on you for some reason. The surviving hen must have been difficult to catch and/or was making such a ruckus, the person fled, not wanting to be caught. I would be very careful of your own protection as well, especially being in such a remote area. Always lock up all windows and doors and install motion-detecting lights around your property. Are you armed? Do you have a big dog? Please be careful, this is really scary to me.

 

[pamiejune]

I wish I found my 3 girls because there was no feather and nothing was disturbed except all my beautiful Rhode Island Reds were gone. Anyone have an idea besides the fact a human grabbed them. I have had no problems with my girls in 3.5 years, everyone was happy and laying eggs like crazy. I got them as chicks at a local hardware store and raised them to keep me company while my wife worked because I no longer could and they brighten my days a lot. I have been thru 6 surgeries to repair my damaged spine from a drunk caused by a drunk with a suspended license for drunken diving who rear end my SUV and destroyed it and my spine. In 7th surgery they put a pump in my back putting morphine into my spine so my girls were my "comfort chickens" keeping me going and not getting very depressed. My wife loved my girls because she could see they were keeping me from getting more depressed. I think the problem came about because of undocumented workers trimming a tree and they saw them and decided they wanted the chickens for eggs or a chicken dinner. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
I have been going crazy looking for pullets (young chickens?) that where close to my home in Kansas or Missouri without any luck. I did find Murray McMurray Hatchery had 4+ Week Old Buff Orpingtons hens and others (I did not want Rhode Island Reds again because they would remind of my lost hens) for $17.54 which I was going to see if we could afford them till they told me the shipping cost and I gave up.
I did find a young man (sounds young), Greg here in Kansas that had 3+ year old Buff Orpingtons hens (and many others) he was having to sell because his wife has stage 4 breast cancer. He had an egg business; he wants $10.00 for a hen and $6.00 for a rooster. I called Greg and found he is around 3.5 hours from my home and there is no way I can drive that far any more so he is going to see what it would cost to send them to me.

If anyone is interested in buying some of these chickens his Craigslist address is:

Original craigslist post:
https://wichita.craigslist.org/grd/6983711881.html
About craigslist mail:
https://craigslist.org/about/help/email-relay

Do not buy all of his Buff Orpingtons because I want 3 of the hens since they are gentle birds and want the hens if I can get them here. If anyone can transport the Buff Orpingtons to Johnson County, Kansas from central Kansas I would pay them for their time and gasoline if we could afford the service. The drunk not only destroyed my back and the SUV but our bank account since we have tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills now from the car accident. I was in perfect health before the accident but not any more, I was worried after the accident my life would go to hell and I considered hanging myself in our garage but I could not do that to my loving wife of 38 years so I did not. Now that I am getting stressed because I lost my girls I am definitely getting even more depressed and wishing I did because I am sick and tired of the pain and not being able to do anything except go to the hospital for help.

I wish I lived closer (I'm in NH) - I have extra Speckled Sussex that were raised by hand and I could spare 6 of them no problem. I hope you find some birds and get back your happy. I would suspect the tree workers, too, especially if it happened soon after they were on your property. You can get a battery-powered, wireless security cam (Blink) very cheaply on Amazon and they have good night vision. Mine ping my phone when they detect movement. Good luck!

 

[pamiejune]

@Dottypotty. There is one important question that needs answering. It may not seem big, but it is. Did you line up the bodies or did your predator leave them that way. If that's how you found them, you're probably dealing with a human predator. If you did it yourself, possibly so you could get a good picture , then your predator likely has four legs, not two ... and I stand by the dog theory.

The original story stated that she found them lined up like that. That's why I say human predator as well. No way an animal could/would do that - it's too neat. Their heads are even facing the same way! I would be traumatized.

 

[tn_artist]

I wish I found my 3 girls because there was no feather and nothing was disturbed except all my beautiful Rhode Island Reds were gone. Anyone have an idea besides the fact a human grabbed them. I have had no problems with my girls in 3.5 years, everyone was happy and laying eggs like crazy. I got them as chicks at a local hardware store and raised them to keep me company while my wife worked because I no longer could and they brighten my days a lot. I have been thru 6 surgeries to repair my damaged spine from a drunk caused by a drunk with a suspended license for drunken diving who rear end my SUV and destroyed it and my spine. In 7th surgery they put a pump in my back putting morphine into my spine so my girls were my "comfort chickens" keeping me going and not getting very depressed. My wife loved my girls because she could see they were keeping me from getting more depressed. I think the problem came about because of undocumented workers trimming a tree and they saw them and decided they wanted the chickens for eggs or a chicken dinner. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
I have been going crazy looking for pullets (young chickens?) that where close to my home in Kansas or Missouri without any luck. I did find Murray McMurray Hatchery had 4+ Week Old Buff Orpingtons hens and others (I did not want Rhode Island Reds again because they would remind of my lost hens) for $17.54 which I was going to see if we could afford them till they told me the shipping cost and I gave up.
I did find a young man (sounds young), Greg here in Kansas that had 3+ year old Buff Orpingtons hens (and many others) he was having to sell because his wife has stage 4 breast cancer. He had an egg business; he wants $10.00 for a hen and $6.00 for a rooster. I called Greg and found he is around 3.5 hours from my home and there is no way I can drive that far any more so he is going to see what it would cost to send them to me.

If anyone is interested in buying some of these chickens his Craigslist address is:

Original craigslist post:
https://wichita.craigslist.org/grd/6983711881.html
About craigslist mail:
https://craigslist.org/about/help/email-relay

Do not buy all of his Buff Orpingtons because I want 3 of the hens since they are gentle birds and want the hens if I can get them here. If anyone can transport the Buff Orpingtons to Johnson County, Kansas from central Kansas I would pay them for their time and gasoline if we could afford the service. The drunk not only destroyed my back and the SUV but our bank account since we have tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills now from the car accident. I was in perfect health before the accident but not any more, I was worried after the accident my life would go to hell and I considered hanging myself in our garage but I could not do that to my loving wife of 38 years so I did not. Now that I am getting stressed because I lost my girls I am definitely getting even more depressed and wishing I did because I am sick and tired of the pain and not being able to do anything except go to the hospital for help.

I am so sorry you are going through such a difficult time. If I lived anywhere near, I would help, but I'm halfway across the country in NC.

 

[Jac Jac]

Many predators can easily get through chicken wire, it's only good for keeping larger chickens inside. The wood base looks ripped up, as from a canine or larger critter. It seems like a human would have entered higher up?
Rebuild, and add really good electric fencing!
Any tracks out there? Scat?
Mary

Absolutely saddened over your experience. I'm probably as devastated as you are. If I were a gambling woman, I'd put my eggs on it being a larger critter. Remember, "vengeance is mine...I will repay". Please contact local law officials (to at least file a report) for future activities and actions. You didn't deserve this or the chickens. Be strong, rebuild, you will make it through. BYC has your back. Our prayers are with you.

 

[tn_artist]

sorry to show my ignorance but what is a fisher?

A lot of people call them Fisher cats, but their name is Fisher so as not to confuse with Fishing Cat, which is an actual feline.