Something Killed about Half My Flock!!!!

[RubberChickenLubber]

We have been letting our chickens free range during the day. We went trick or treating with the kids, so we were gone after dark and could close the run. I went out around 9pm to close the runs, and noticed my 3 roosters dead in the middle of the run. I came and got my dh and a flashlight. My 3 RIRs who are in a different run were missing (I'm hoping maybe their hiding) and two of my hens were dead (one in the coop and one on the ramp to the coop). Only know of one hen missing out of this run. I don't know what got them, but leaning more toward a dog. My neighbor just got a new dog two days ago, and we can't find it anywhere. The neighbors are gone. It amazes me that all 3 of my roos died together, they must have put up one heck of a fight together to protect the hens.

What do y'all think. I'm practically starting over, with only 4 hens that I see tonight. Will update tomorrow whether my RIRs come home.

 

[speckledhen]

I'm so sorry! Hope you find some that were just in hiding tomorrow. Let us know what happens.

 

[PurpleChicken]

I'm so sorry to hear about your flock. That is just horrible.

Are there any other clues? Blood or feathers?? Were the roosters
damaged physically? Bite marks?

Sorry to ask these gruesome questions but we need to play CSI.

In the morning give us as many details as possible. We may
be able to figure out what killed them.

Don

 

[texaschickmama]

So sorry to hear that. Hopefully the other girls are just hiding because they are scared. Let us know.

 

[Redfeathers]

I'm sorry too...Please let us know how you're doing in the morning

 

[jenichick]

sorry! I would luv to free range, but I am sure this would be my result! The fact the bodies are still there makes me think its a dog. Hang in there.

 

[RubberChickenLubber]

Quote:
That's what we are wondering too. It was just too dark out there to see too much, but from what we could tell there was some blood, but not alot. Not too sure about feathers. If the roosters are still out there tomorrow (we took all of the dead and put them at the edge of the woods, do to it being so late), my dh can check them out. I can't, Chester the roo in the avatar was my baby. He was one of the first 4 chickens that I got. I can't look at him now. Out of all of them, his death is hitting me the hardest. But it looked more like the necks were just broken. When I picked up two of the hens, their heads flopped.

 

[okiechick57]

Oh how awful for you all........I sure hope you find out what did this.....and don't have the same problem again.....

 

[SimplcitiyAltered]

oh hun that is just heartbreaking. it would really help to try to identify what happened if your hubby could retrieve one to see how the injury looks. I can understand your feelings on this I love my babies to death and I start to see red when I see one of my lil ones killed. My heart goes out to you.

 

[rooster-red]

Sorry to hear that