What could have killed my pullets?

[The Golden Egg5]

My 26 week old girls have freeranged (idk if that's a word) every day with out a single problem. Until today. I went to "tuck my chickies in" for the night and did a quick count to find 2 were missing. My beloved Stephanie and Goldie locks. Upon investigation, I found blood splattered across the roost and window of the coop. Something must have come in during the day and snatched them. I cannot find any feathers or any tracks to clue me what it was. The only thing I know is that the crows were going crazy in a nearby tree. Is there any way to know what happened? And how can I prevent it from happening again? I will not freerange them for at least a while to avoid any more losses. My dog has been going crazy all day barking which is not normal behavior for him. I suspect a fox because there are many around the area. There are also many bears, but I don't think it was a bear. I am located in the mountains of NC.
Thank you for any help.

Goldie locks.

Stephanie

 

[Abriana]

I am so sorry for the loss of your two beautiful hens.
Yes, that does sound like a fox. Putting them in a run covered with hardware cloth can help, or purchasing an electric fence can help. I have an electric fence and I see the foxes but don't have an issue.
Good luck keeping the rest of your flock safe!

 

[Sara Ranch]

*hugs*

 

[The Golden Egg5]

Thank you. Their run has a layer of hardware cloth and another layer of netting. The sides of the run are hardware cloth and chicken wire overlapping each other. I guess that is the ending of their free ranging days

 

[Abriana]

I am sure they will thank you for putting them in confinement because you are saving their lives this way!

 

[Sara Ranch]

One question - did Goldie Locks lay a ripe strawberry?

It looks like it. So that is how I will remember her. Goldie Locks lays ripe strawberries - such an awesome girl!

And Stephanie saying she laid the strawberry first!

*hugs*

 

[Lazy Farmer]

sorry

 

[Abriana]

*more hugs*

 

[RAsChickens]

 

[The Golden Egg5]

Haha thank you guys. This was my first losses from my chickens and it really struck hard. I loved these girls more than words can express. Thank you for helping me get over the loss and remember the good times I had with them.