Question about behavior after a predator

[yinzerchick]

I think I heard something about 7:00-7:30 this evening, but it didn't sound like anything more than a small, quick argument between chickens, so didn't really pay attention, I wasn't that far away, but couldn't see everything because the trees and barn were blocking my view. Went in to take a head count about an hour later, and one of my roo's is missing.

He was always the one at the coop door getting everyone rounded up, and I saw immediately he was not on his roost. If there was an attack, would the other chickens continue acting as if nothing happened? I thought they would at least have been frightened or made a bigger fuss. I can't find any trace of him, or evidence as to what might have happened. I'm really, REALLY

hoping he got a little lost, and it got dark so he decided to stay put and will turn up in the morning. He's a polish crested and can't see too well anyway. Any thoughts or opinions? Please keep my roo, (Mick) in your thoughts tonight. Thanks.

 

[Nic&Chickies]

my fingers are crossed, too. I'm trying to send you good thoughts about Mick, and banish the "dark imaginings" at the root of fears.

 

[10 point]

hopeing mick gets home safe

 

[adgcountrygirl]

I hope Mick comes home to you first thing in the morning. My smallest roo, Thor is the one who stands at the gate and is the last to go to roost. I just adopted 7 new birds last week. 6 are younger than my 18 weekers and one is older and was injured before I adopted them. It is still touchy on whether the injured girl will live. This is my first year and I was surprised by just how obvious their personalities are! I'll be praying for you and Mick.

 

[yinzerchick]

Thanks all...It's gonna be a sleepless night. I've already been outside 1/2 a dozen times in the past hour.

 

[Redcatcher]

It depends. My free ranging chickens are constantly stalked by two neighborhood cats which do nothing but stalk. It results in some chickens "crying wolf" too many times. So, when a fox comes along and takes off with one, it's business as usual. If a flock isn't exposed to this predatory behavior and its drama on a regular basis, they will act traumatized if one bird is carried off.

I'm certain you will find Mick in the morning. You have to think positive.

 

[Noymira]

Quote:
Did he show up this morning?

I'm hoping he just found a tree to roost if for the night.

 

[suki'smom]

So sorry that you had to go through this, I'll keep you and your roo in my prayers.

 

[MEchickenfarmer33]

yeah the first time my chickens were dive bombed by a hawk they were weird for a few days. they would hardly go 10 feet away from the coop and they always were on the lookout. i think that it helped them in the long run. thankfully we never lost any to predators (knock on wood)

 

[yinzerchick]

A sad, sad, day here. Mick didn't show up, and I started poking around just beyond the fence in the woods and found what was left of him. Just a bunch of feathers. He was such a brave little roo...

Tears are flowing again, and I know that's silly, but I can't help it. And my chickens didn't act any different at all last night, right after it happened, or today. It was so quiet without his crows and loud clucks, the silence just broke my heart.

I know he saw the danger and ran to protect the hens, he never use to be out of the run at that time, he was always at the gate trying to make everyone get back in. What's worse is I think I was actually outside when it happened...I heard something, but it just didn't register. Looking back now, that's probably what it was.

Happened about 7:00-7:30 pm.

I'm pretty sure it was a coyote. I let everyone out today, but got them rounded up early and locked up safe in the run way before dusk. I'm probably going to just keep them confined a few days, (I was way too nervous about them being out today) I'm hoping, that if the predator isn't successful anymore it will go away. Does that sound like it might work? In the mean time I'll be patroling, locked and loaded!

Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers...