What could've done this

[coffeenutdesign]

My flock was just attacked this morning. The neighbor said his dogs never barked and he didn't see anything. I found 2 different places where a feathers were left behind. One was obviously cornered in the backyard fence. I am missing 6 chickens, no carcasses, blood, or body parts. What could take off with 6 chickens without arousing the dogs next door that bark at EVERYTHING and not leave much behind. I know coyotes will snitch and run, but this would have taken several coyotes to take off with 6 and they aren't usually out in the daylight (it was late morning). It isn't a mess of feathers and carcasses like I have seen dogs leave behind. I am holding out hope that some of them are still in hiding and may come out when they feel safe or it is time to roost.

 

[coffeenutdesign]

For the record, the stray dog that I mentioned in a previous post is gone now. We had him removed when we couldn't find an owner and he wouldn't stay in the backyard, so it was definitely not him.

 

[Puddin Fluff]

If it were just one, I would say a lone coyote or a fox. I don't know about 6. It is amazing how quiet a coyote pack can be. they usually do their yipping and howling after a hunt is successful, not during.

We have a lone male that runs around near us in the middle of the day. We lost a bird last month with no trace except a few feathers in the pasture so we expect it was him. Needless to say, the birds aren't free ranging without supervision until the lone coyote is taken care of.

 

[coffeenutdesign]

If it were 1, I would think coyote also because I know we have them, but I can't imagine a pack of coyotes coming that close to the house during the day. I've never known it to happen, but I certainly am not ruling it out.

 

[coffeenutdesign]

That, and I really don't think a coyote would actually chase a chicken into the back yard and corner it. They usually just pick one up while dashing through, like a drive through window or something

 

[coffeenutdesign]

Well, none of my others showed up last night and I didn't find any walking the property (25 acres). I just lost half my flock including my roo. That bums me out because they were all really good layers and I finally had a customer buying my extra eggs. My only guess is it must've been multiple coyotes, but that is so unusual to have them come right up in the yards or next to the house, especially with the neighbors dog over here. She decided to come stay with us while the kids have been off from school. Sweet little hound dog who doesn't bother the chickens, but lousy guard dog.

 

[animaladdictions]

I know you said it was morning but is it possible that someone came in and stole them?

 

[yo burrill]

Foxes will kill as many as they can get. I lost 8 in one night. I never loose just one. And foxes will come in any time of day. My dogs will bark at just about anything. But we were all out in the yard one day and the fox snuck in and took a chicken not 30 feet away and we never saw her till she grabbed and ran. Dogs never barked. They will snatch then go stash that one then come back for another one and continue till they are all gone.

 

[Dandelion56]

Yes, a fox will grab 2-3 at one time. They kill what they can and pile them up and carry off as many as they can at one time. A dog would leave them lay.

 

[coffeenutdesign]

"I know you said it was morning but is it possible that someone came in and stole them?"

That thought entered my mind, as we did have an old man we didn't know who came up selling watermelons out of his truck just the evening before.