Someone stole some of my chicks!! (update page 2)

[Wolf-Kim]

Quote:
Well, Dusti barks at the neighbors if they do anything other than come and go in their driveway, but she was inside and in her crate. Yes she has barked at things on the porch before, but she could have been sleeping deeply I guess.

My sister in law who drove by still says she saw someone in my back yard, inside the fence, the day the chicks disappeared and that they were wearing a white shirt with red print on it. One of the neighbo's frequent visitors was wearing a shirt that fit the bill the same day, but I didn't see them with any chicks or have reason to question them at the time (hadn't talked to SIL then). Coincidence? I doubt it.

Maybe go ask your neighbors about it? Do it subtley. Explain that your sister-in-law was driving by and noticed on of their friends in your yard. Explain that you also had some birds go missing, and wondered if they knew anything about it.

If they know there was an eye witness placing them in your yard, they'll be pressured into returning your chicks, or at least explain WTH they were doing in your yard.

 

[Tala]

Quote:
I took over some eggs today. Was already planning to anyway. I asked the mom just if they had noticed anything because 3 of my chicks were missing, she said she didn't even know I had chicks. The daughter said something in the background, but I'm not sure what she said and they didn't offer any further explination.

If it's the person *I think* who I saw wearing the similar shirt -- well I don't think they live next door but just visit, and they weren't there when I went over. You'd think the people who DO live there would at least know what their visitors were up to though. Chicks are kinda noisy and not like your typical pet so they'd stand out in one's memory

 

[eekgads]

Tala, I can SO relate! This morning, my favorite roo was gone. No tracks, none of his hens were out of place, no digging, no sign of struggle. Freaked me out. He's a fairly big boy so he'd be hard to miss. I was so worried & upset all day today at work.

This evening, my DH & DS went out after dark to make sure everyone was put up & they found a ripped off head of one of my 3 month old chicks! I've got predators.

I don't know what type & how they're getting in so I'm going to have to buy a game cam too. Any suggestions in the meantime?

 

[Tala]

Set a live trap. Bait it with cat food - it will catch almost anything.
See what you catch!

 

[19hhbelgian]

Maybe this was already mentioned, but you could put flour or powder at the gate to your yard and all around the coop, and where ever the chicks might be. Then you can see if it's been disturbed. Good luck!

 

[MrSaddina]

I say get some Salt shot and pepper some behinds the next time someone comes on the property

won't do much but sting and scare the everything out of them

 

[nature nut]

Oh Tala, I hate to hear about your chicks

Makes me mad just reading about it. I'd bet the visitor wanted a few chickens and the three would be all they take unless they wanted them for eggs and realize they got two cockrels and one pullet. Wonder if the tractor would fit inside the new pen you've been working on?

 

[Tala]

We shall see if the magic camera catches anyone or anything messing with my babies!

I'm off to bed!

 

[Wifezilla]

eekgads, that is what happened to two of our ducks. We think it was a hawk or owl. We put up netting and now keep the ducks inside an aviary. No more losses

Other possible suspects were skunks or a raccoon.

 

[Tala]

Well, today I still have 4 chicks. The game cam was very disappointing though!! The images are all screwed up and won't even load!!