Rooster disappeared without a trace yesterday - any ideas?

[phieaglefan]

Yesterday I came home to find my rooster Jacques missing. The odd thing is, there were 10 chickens and a Guinea free ranging yesterday as always, and the big rooster is the only one that's missing. 7 of the birds are smallish - they're about 10 weeks old. But no one else is gone. Is there any chance he wandered off on his own and will return? I know, wishful thinking. We looked around a bit but didn't see any signs of him or his remains.

Any ideas on what could have caused this?


Thanks,
Heidi

 

[kellysmall87]

I would say he was stolen, is this a possibility?
Also if he is a flighty one, then maybe he has wandered off?

 

[darkmatter]

Sounds like predation. You didn't mention where/how your setup is like. Rural? Urban? I tried free ranging at first and got tired of the predators. Everything would be fine for weeks & weeks, then wham----a killing spree.

 

[phieaglefan]

Thanks for your replies. I still can't believe it but when I went out to feed this morning, he was standing in the horse pasture. He seems fine, possibly a few tail feathers missing. But maybe I imagined that. Anyway I'm thrilled he's alive.

Darkmatter, we are quite rural and I know there are tons of predators. I guess I should take this as a warning.

Thanks again!
Heidi

 

[Firefighter Chick]

I'm guessing he was attacked or got into a fight with something and hid to "lick his wounds" so to say and came back out when the shock wore off.