What attacks at dusk?

[SMP73]

I have had my chickens for a few months now. They have been free range in my backyard for the last couple of months. I lock them up after it gets dark. I have 2 dogs a large terrier and a German Shepherd mix. They have never been aggressive towards the chickens. Last night during dinner my neighbors dogs were going absolutely nuts. When I went to investigate my terrier ran in, but my German Shepherd would not come. So I went back to see what was going on. I found him guarding one of my Rhode Island Reds. She was attacked really badly. I was really confused, but I thought maybe I was wrong about the dogs and one of them finally went after a chicken. So I decided not to leave the dogs out unsupervised until I put up a fence. So tonight we cooked dinner on the grill and all the chickens were there. We went in ate dinner, then I went out to lock the chickens up. My younger California Gray is missing. The dogs were not out during the disappearance. We do live close to the mountains and have seen Raccoons, Opossums, Skunks, and Coyotes. My yard doesn't have good access for those animals though. I'm thinking maybe an owl or hawk. Anyone have any incite or similar problems?

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! So sorry for you loss, it's sad. Any of your mentioned critters could have taken your bird. Lock them in their safe coop and run while you sort out this problem. We all need to have a predator proof coop and run, large enough for our birds to be comfortable, during times like this.
You can set a live trap (only if you will shoot!) the varmit that's visiting your birds. And/ or, keep those birds in. Hawks will generally give up and move on in ten to fourteen days, if they can't get more birds. Other predators can be more persistant.
Setting up a 'game cam' will help here too.
Electric fencing or electrified poultry netting (premier1supplies.com) helps a lot with ground predators.
Mary

 

[CntryBoy777]

Sorry for the troubles. It really could be the whole list of predators, because at dusk many are already out and about. I have taken fox, coon, and possums within 25ft of our coop and yard fence....we live on 20acres, some on the ground and others in the trees....I've heard Great Horned Owls hollaring at 3pm and have seen them flying during dusk....hawks are usually going to roost at that time. It sounds like your GSD did a great job and could be a helping hand for ya. We put ours in their yard about an hour and a half before sunset for the added prtection during that time....we don't let them out until 8:30am or so for the same reasons....I've seen coon in the fields at 9-10am, so I would look for tracks or scat, that'll let ya know what's in the neighborhood....sure hope ya get the sucker.

 

[AllenK RGV]

I have had my chickens for a few months now. They have been free range in my backyard for the last couple of months. I lock them up after it gets dark. I have 2 dogs a large terrier and a German Shepherd mix. They have never been aggressive towards the chickens. Last night during dinner my neighbors dogs were going absolutely nuts. When I went to investigate my terrier ran in, but my German Shepherd would not come. So I went back to see what was going on. I found him guarding one of my Rhode Island Reds. She was attacked really badly. I was really confused, but I thought maybe I was wrong about the dogs and one of them finally went after a chicken. So I decided not to leave the dogs out unsupervised until I put up a fence. So tonight we cooked dinner on the grill and all the chickens were there. We went in ate dinner, then I went out to lock the chickens up. My younger California Gray is missing. The dogs were not out during the disappearance. We do live close to the mountains and have seen Raccoons, Opossums, Skunks, and Coyotes. My yard doesn't have good access for those animals though. I'm thinking maybe an owl or hawk. Anyone have any incite or similar problems?

Interesting dusk predator question, do you know if you have Bobcats as well in your area, after having lived in rural north Tx for about 5 years. Predators in that timeframe were only owls or bobcats. Puma/cougar never came up to the house but they did leave footprints in the dry creek or wash. During my time in rural Wise County Texas we did lose two older cats to them, and one of the cats did lose an eye fighting off the bobcats too! Hope you get your coop predator proofed against all comers. But after dark our chicken really need us to lock them in until morning. For me all my chicken are ready to be locked in 10 minutes after sunset. Best of luck keeping the rest of your flock alive!

Allen

 

[Jessica Chambers]

Dusk does sound more like opossums and raccoons, but hawks or owls are certainly a possibility. I recommend a catch and release humane trap and securing them in a covered run. Or, run fishing line across your yard in 3-4 foot increments criss-crossed to prevent aerial predators. Cold pressed orange oil spray also repels 4 legged predators.

 

[Mary's Backyard Chickens]

All of those predators could be coming around in your area, so I can't tell you which one it is.... Hope you find and catch the sucker!

 

[SMP73]

Thank you everyone for all the great information. This morning my Gray was in the yard. She must have been hiding somewhere really well. My yard is pretty dark in the back, but 3 of us went out with flashlights looking for her and she was nowhere. So maybe the first attack was my dog after all. I'm off to Home Depot to put up a chain link fence so they have an area to themselves and don't have to be locked in the coop run. Also I thought chickens naturally went inside to sleep. Every night I have to put the Gray inside, and my Jersey Giant has stayed out to sleep next to the Gray the past couple of nights, which is really weird because during the day the Giant picks on my Gray and my Sex Link, which are newer to the flock.