Something took two of my chickens. What could it be??

[andreanar]

Taking without leaving feathers or pieces and parts laying around....Im guessing fox or coyote. If they are hungry enough they will come out during the day. Especially if your chickens wander close enough to brush or woods. Keep them locked up for awhile because that predator will keep coming back for an easy food source.

 

[townchicks]

Best to prepare your run asap. Both foxes and coyotes will hunt anytime of day or night.

 

[PrettyChickens15]

I''ll try to get them in the coop. Would a trap work for a fox?
My run is designed to protect against hawks not ground predators.

 

[PrettyChickens15]

Could they be hiding somewhere on a nest of eggs??

Look around for predator foot prints, poop, any sign of digging, etc.
Try this predator checker too.
http://www.poultrydvm.com/predator-identifier.php

I guess they could be broody, but they've never been broody before and always lay in the coop. I'll go check for poop, foot prints and digging.

 

[Helloworld]

Your dog got tired, fell asleep and something got them? I don’t know what predators you have. I put a lock on mine. I have actually had raccoons easily open clips and stuff.

I once lost a couple of hens. Looked everywhere. Large preditor birds are prevalent in my area being so close to the river so I have noticed that if one or two of my chickens get separated from flock while smelling the flowers, lol if that large bird comes over they find the nearest bunker and they actually hide for 2-3 days before they come out! So, keep looking. I finally gave up and the 3 night, I go out to coop and both sitting there looking at me like, “So sorry!, and its a scary world out there” look. So don’t give up just yet. They will roost in trees as well. But think what is their color around me. That may be where they are hiding.

 

[Let'sCackle]

Orpingtons are known for broodiness. Hopefully they are sharing a nest somewhere. If not, I'm afraid some sort of predator has taken a liking to your chickens. Live traps are good if you can keep other pets, or animals out of them. I also swear by electric fencing using a strong charger. As far as coyotes go.. yes, it is mostly at night that they do their hunting, but here in southern Arizona is isn't uncommon to see them lurking during the day. I guess it would depend on where you live as to how active they actually are. Fox and weasels are both sneaky. Depending on just how hungry they are, they could show up at any time really. I hope you find your Orpingtons.

 

[Hobbits Mommie]

Could they be hiding somewhere on a nest of eggs??

Look around for predator foot prints, poop, any sign of digging, etc.
Try this predator checker too.
http://www.poultrydvm.com/predator-identifier.php

My neighbor has had two full grown turkeys killed in a week. The animal was so strong it completely mangled a chain link fence. Based on the predator-identifier, my suspicion that it was probably a bob cat was confirmed. Thank you for the link.

 

[roosterhavoc]

Feathers mean nothing. Sometimes they make a mess sometimes they don’t. If they’re missing it’s probably a fox or coyote like has already been said. They will come whenever they feel like it.
These two both came during the day. One at 11:45 the other at 3:30. Cages rarely work for foxes that are killing chickens and it’s just not practical for coyotes. Tall, long and narrow cages will work for bobcats though.

Mother Nature being “humane”

 

[cmom]

Electric fencing is your best option

I have electric wires around my pens and coops. Once a predator touches the wire they won't try again.

I''ll try to get them in the coop. Would a trap work for a fox?
My run is designed to protect against hawks not ground predators.

I had a fox in the past kill some of my birds. It dug under a gate. Now I have an electric wire across the bottom of my gates and concrete under them. I put out a live trap with a bird safely secured inside as bait. The fox knew the bird was in it but would not go into the trap it did try to dig under it. I finally put some leg traps out and caught it in some leg traps after I had lost several birds to it. I'm sure if a predator got your birds it will be back. I have several games cameras in different places on my property and most nights I see a predator on one of the cameras. Here most come out at night because it's still hot here during the day, in the 90's.
Last nights visitors.

When I put out a live trap.

 

[PrettyChickens15]

Thank you all for the help! They were free ranging when this happened so it was easier for the animal to take them. They could still be okay, but I highly doubt it.