Predator problem?

[tatertot]

Oh by the way be thinking of what yyour gonna do when you catch them...don't post it but have a plan before it happens

 

[CrzyCknLady]

What exactly is a gender neutral chicken? Like a late Bloomer?

HAHA - yes, a late bloomer. He's just as old as a couple other chickens I have - including a rooster - but he's just well........weird. He doesn't act like a boy - no crowing, no mounting, etc. but based on his feathers, he has to be a boy. He's a Wheaten Ameracauna and is now almost 29 weeks old (will be on Sat.) but shows no signs of which sex he is. I have watched him - he doesn't mount the hens - doesn't even try to - and he doesn't get mounted by the roosters. It's the oddest thing!

 

[CrzyCknLady]

If I catch a human, I will most definitely be calling the police and pressing charges even though I know I'll get made fun of on the local news forums. 19 hens is a lot of money to be out and lets face it - my absolute favorite hen is gone - that warrants an arrest! None of them are over 1.5 years old......probably half were younger and hatched out in March & April of this year.......

My husband is locked and loaded and ready to run - although he's old and doesn't move that fast. HAHA I'm just kidding - he's not that old.....but he's definitely ready to run out there if he has to. I figure they are coming up the back street along the school fence and not around the front of our house because we have security cameras on the front of the house and garage.

I really just want to catch whatever/whomever it is. I don't want to lose any more of my beloved pets.

 

[CrzyCknLady]

I'd definitely say human cause it sounds like you've made it pretty predator proof...I'd be amazed to see a fox or racoon close the door upon leaving..be sure to be ready to bolt out the doors at any time during the night...cause they will have a quick getaway...they've been successful so far..about what hours do they go missing...that's your best bet

Ooh - and the ONLY way you can close the main coop door is to put the padlock back in the latch. We always keep the lock in the latch - but for some reason, actually locking it never seemed necessary to me.......until now. After I catch the thief, I will be definitely locking that door AND, I have a lock on the screen door to get into the run - I'll have to start locking that too. I guess there was a reason when I built everything, even my time-out coop, I used latches that had locks or required locks....... I told my husband one of my biggest fears for my flock was to have someone come steal them.....

 

[tatertot]

Your right...that's a lot of money and time..I'm sorry you lost your favorite girl...mine is a buff orphington...I lost her..looked every where..was just so upset til I heard a low clucking sound coming from the back of the barn...I lifted an over turned bucket and she just spilled out...I was overjoyed ...its a wonder she lived as hot as it was...so I really want you to get your girls back..

 

[tatertot]

These are my first..but lets face it...I'm hooked..I want
some more come spring...IV got plenty of space to build a second run..not sure I want to upset their pecking order...15 per flock...I've got 15...thought I'd get 25 more...think that's to many to brood at one time

 

[tatertot]

If that's the only way in then you have answered your own question.
what animal creeps around taking more than one in a single night...that can open and close. The coop and replace the padlock upon leaving..huh..survey says...ding ding ding...human

 

[CrzyCknLady]

All was quiet last night, as expected. I wish my girls would get back to their normal laying schedule. I am anxious to get a bunch of eggs in the incubator. We're building a new garage in 5 weeks and it will be heated so I'm going to put the babies in there when they hatch. I can start them in about 2 weeks and keep them in the house for a week - then in the garage for a few weeks....I know this is the wrong time of year to do them but I'd like them to be ready to lay come spring.....of course, I shouldn't have to be hatching any out - but it is what it is and I've got to start planning ahead.

 

[tatertot]

I got to thinking...how or would a kid or teen know what ones were laying hens? Do kids know the difference from a roo and a hen?..that just strikes me so odd..does anyone else in your area have laying hens? Would they live nearby? Would they jump in a car? Do alittle bit of role playing...if you were gonna steal chickens how would you do it unseen..how would you carry

 

[tatertot]

The birds quietly and discreetly? Just a thought really...I am rooting for you to catch them and get your flock back...press charges on multiple counts of theft..even your pets are considered personal property...good luck...try to figure a pattern...he waits how long knowing you haven't done anything or don't notice they are missing...I always take a head count