They are ALL GONE!

[cafarmgirl]

Bear tracks. Very sorry you lost your birds, what a sad experience. You have some serious predators in your area, can you put up several heavy strands of electric fence around the coop?

 

[theFox]

A bird of prey will frequently leave feathers, as will a dog they will shake the bird until it stops moving in the process a lot of feathers can get lost, both are also known to carry off the birds, leaving little if any blood. I also know that a dog will get bored when the bird stops struggling, and go get another, until none are left.

I don't know what a bear would do but from some stories I've read they have been known to tear up a coop trying to get what is inside.

 

[Sillystunt]

bears will keep coming back if there is a food source!!! They are so cute but devilish on chickens. I would say the only deterant is a STRONG electric fence. They are sooo strong and can break into anything. Dogs helps as well but it was so cold and what could you have done. I am sooo sorry for your loss!! It is just horrible to lose your pet by any means.

What part of Florida are you in??

 

[Luvmybob]

@ Sillystunt- I live in the Keystone area, near Gainesville, thanks for your comments = ) It was chilly last night, I couldn't leave the dogs out in that-

@ thefox- I agree--I am certain it wasn't a bird of prey---taking 30 pounds of chicken is alot for any animal--but it does make since what you said about the dog--points to a pack of coyotes, which my dogs have scared off a few times.

@ cafarmgirl- I will have to look into getting some elect fencing...they are free range and I just got too comfortable--I should have shut the coop--and put them all inside--I guess my dogs did such a great job I didn't think about it--but they've been inside last 3 nights, so they knew there wasn't anyone around to protect them--- = (

@ Cindiloohoo- lol! Don't feel bad, it wasn't until I was coming home one day and I saw signs that the county put up "bear crossing" and I asked my hubby about them, born and raised here and he didn't know either-- apparently we do and they can get up to 500 pounds.....I moved here from ky/tn when I was 12, so I had no idea-- = ) I knew they were up there tho-

 

[deerman]

Quote:
Bird of prey, would not take that many.
Coyotes , not that many at one time.
Dogs, will kill many at a time. Some carry them off,other just kill and leave them lay. I had a neighbor dog kill over 25 meatie in a hour.
Coons, will kill that many at once, but eat parts off each. Mostly at night.

Bear maybe, not sure thankfully I dont have to deal with them.

My guess the dog, plus Labs are known bird dogs.....

 

[rufus]

It was a bear, and it will be back. Just let those dogs suffer a little cold. It sure beats losing your stock and endangering your family.

Rufus

 

[Luvmybob]

Quote:
Thanks! I agree---I have to start over though---I only have 1 BSL now---So you think it was a bear for sure?? So the dog with the carcass in it's mouth may have found it elsewhere? I'm only asking because that dog is my neighbors ( just found out ) and I want him to know---the dog ran IN my yard with it not out--it was strange?? ONE dog by the way---

Thanks!!!!! I have my guns ready---

 

[PaulaJoAnne]

Quote:
Thanks! I agree---I have to start over though---I only have 1 BSL now---So you think it was a bear for sure?? So the dog with the carcass in it's mouth may have found it elsewhere? I'm only asking because that dog is my neighbors ( just found out ) and I want him to know---the dog ran IN my yard with it not out--it was strange?? ONE dog by the way---

Thanks!!!!! I have my guns ready---

No doubt that is a black bear track.
I live in Alaska, and I also hunt bears with my hubby.

If you do end up killing a bear, do eat the meat. It is amazingly wonderful meat. And the lard you can get off them is excellent.

 

[theFox]

Quote:
deerman I agree about one bird not doing it, but a group in the area could do it.

I've seen as many as 6 circle over this lot at a time during the spring, summer, and fall. They keep trying for the duck and turkey offspring along with parents that frequent the area.

My vote is for a dog (then a bear, tracks are one thing, but I would expect something like a heavy bear to leave a set by each feather pile if the bear did it.). The "found" rooster is what is leading me towards the dog (perhaps the OP should check around where the dog was and see what those tracks look like).

'yotes usually love to brag about their kills would have expected more than a bit of noise if a pack of them had been at it.

In any event Rufus is correct whatever did it will be back.

 

[Luvmybob]

Quote:
deerman I agree about one bird not doing it, but a group in the area could do it.

I've seen as many as 6 circle over this lot at a time during the spring, summer, and fall. They keep trying for the duck and turkey offspring along with parents that frequent the area.

My vote is for a dog (then a bear, tracks are one thing, but I would expect something like a heavy bear to leave a set by each feather pile if the bear did it.). The "found" rooster is what is leading me towards the dog (perhaps the OP should check around where the dog was and see what those tracks look like).

'yotes usually love to brag about their kills would have expected more than a bit of noise if a pack of them had been at it.

In any event Rufus is correct whatever did it will be back.

The dog was a little smaller than my black lab mix which has big paw prints but not NEARLY as big as those we found so if I were to see those prints it wouldn't even compair. There weren't any tracks because it all happened in the grass I was lucky to find those and they were leading into the yard towards the coop area. I just can't help think that one medium sized dog could kill over 30 pounds of meat without any blood or carcass, not one bone or anything--I have 3 dogs who hunt and they parade with their kill and make messes all the time.....


thanks everyone!

@PaulaJoAnne- LOL! I will eat try it if I kill it = )