Something's getting my chickens

[chickenpal147]

My chickens keep randomly disipearing. I look all over my yard under every bush, sometimes they go missing in the night or during the day. I really would like to know what is getting them, what ever it is it hast taken two chickens so far. When I go to look for them there are no feathers anywhere like there was no fight or any thing. If anybody has any ideas as to what is taking them I would really appreciate the help. I want to nip this in the but because I used to have 6 chickens and now I have 5 we and I really like them. Please help

 

[txnative]

Do you have a coop and run, or are they free-ranging?

 

[CGChickMama]

I would lock my chickens in the coop and put up a camera to try to capture an image to see what is trying to get them? Maybe I should first ask are you locking them up at night?

 

[chickenpal147]

We have a coop and a secure run. We free range them during the day and then lock them up during the night. In the mornings when we let them out they were all there and then when we went to check on them an hour later one was missing. Is it possible that they could have gotten seperated from the flock and wondered off and I'm just not seeing it?

 

[chickenpal147]

I should probably also say that both of the chickens that disapierd were a little over 3 months old. We even just bought a new chick to replace the first one that went missing.

 

[mpguay]

If you dont see feathers a sign of a struggle, I might guess a snake.
Is your coop covered with chicken wire?

 

[chickenpal147]

Yes

 

[mpguay]

a snake can easily get in through chicken wire. He could take a young bird and swallow it whole. It make not be able to get back out until the bird digests, but he may have another way in.

Are your other birds acting skittish? every time I have had a predator incident, the whole flock shows it. they are quiet and huddle together, or hide.

 

[chickenpal147]

No and I haven't seen signs of snakes in or around our coop

 

[mpguay]

They free range? what ages? Have they started laying yet?

Possible one is nesting in the woods?