There was murder on the farm last night! My little Banty Cochins got their coop broken into. The only survivors were the 3 that roost in the rafters and some pullets in a separate cage. All my exhibition Blue and Black mottled are gone, a bunch of little roos I was growing out and My first Milles to hatch, Ricky and Lucy. Just yesterday I took a picture of the mottleds and Lucy all in the favorite nest box together. Two were broody the other 2 were trying to lay an egg. Such sweet sweet babies. I loved them, they were my favs. All of them are gone today so here is their memorium photo. A moment of silence please.
This is a photo of a print I found near the coop. It's about 1 1/2 in wide with long nails. Big coon or small dog?
The door to the coop was open and no forced entry. Whatever it was played with the door until toggle latch slid. There were only a few feathers and no dead chickens anywhere. Whatever it was took 11 chickens and disappeared with them. I found some feathers in the neighbors field. The predator took the chickens under a stock gate that is between our yards thats about 7-8 in above the ground and looks to have eaten a couple in their field but only the Milles and all that was left were feathers, never found any black or blue feathers and there were not enough feathers to make up all the rest that were missing. It/they hauled them off to somewhere. Thats a lot of chickens to disappear in thin air. Maybe a pack? Coyotes? though never heard their howeling and haven't heard them for a while. They don't usually come down our way. I am standing guard down there tonight with a rifle but I'm sure they are nice and full and of course they have a stash somewhere.
This is a photo of a print I found near the coop. It's about 1 1/2 in wide with long nails. Big coon or small dog?
The door to the coop was open and no forced entry. Whatever it was played with the door until toggle latch slid. There were only a few feathers and no dead chickens anywhere. Whatever it was took 11 chickens and disappeared with them. I found some feathers in the neighbors field. The predator took the chickens under a stock gate that is between our yards thats about 7-8 in above the ground and looks to have eaten a couple in their field but only the Milles and all that was left were feathers, never found any black or blue feathers and there were not enough feathers to make up all the rest that were missing. It/they hauled them off to somewhere. Thats a lot of chickens to disappear in thin air. Maybe a pack? Coyotes? though never heard their howeling and haven't heard them for a while. They don't usually come down our way. I am standing guard down there tonight with a rifle but I'm sure they are nice and full and of course they have a stash somewhere.
