What got my beloved Estella? I am sick over it!

[lemonpeep]

For quite some time we have let our chickens roam free, outside their pen during the day. We have never had any problems. We came home before dark last night, I went out to the pen to count my four, and there were only three. I was frantic! I knew that Estella would be be with the others, they never do anything seperate and apart from the other. My husband walked in the backyard and immediately spotted a huge area of her feathers. I cried! My question, what got her? My son followed a trail of feathers in to the woods....but no Estella. We have seen recently in our back yard a coon and a fox, frequently. I thought our chickens were safe until near dark. They go in to their pen early, way before dusk. We know what we have to do to the predator. However, do I need to start penning my three during the day now? Any advice would be helpful.

 

[PineBurrowPeeps]

Fox. And they will wipe you out in broad daylight.
A couple of months ago I went from 40 broiler chickens to 14 in two fox attacks, in daylight, in less than a week.

They will be back now that they've gotten a meal.
I'm sorry for your loss. I hate Foxes.

 

[jojo@rolling acres farm]

I'm so sorry about Estella. I would have to agree - I think it was a fox too. I'm sending hugs to you...be kind to yourself today.

Edited: Yes, until you get rid of the fox and the coon - I would keep them penned up. Sorry to say...there may be others too...

 

[Country4ever]

So very sorry for your loss! Its very heart-wrenching to lose them.

I had no predator problems in my very secure coop and run for 5-6 years. Then a few weeks ago, a coon got into the run. I guess I got a little lax. Plus, I think this year is big for predators for some reason.
Also......this coon attack was around 9p.m., when it was still very light out.
I don't think you can ever assume you are safe, unfortunately. Many nocturnal predators come out early evening and might still be out early morning.
Again, so sorry for your loss.

 

[Imp]

My only predator loss was 5 years ago. Raccoon (probably) at about 4pm bright sunny summer day, with me in the yard. I never saw or heard anything. I just noticed that the wildbirds had been quiet for a while. Sorry for your loss.

Imp

 

[Judy]

I saw two fox attacks last year, both around 10 or 11 AM. Managed to run one off (not what I was trying to do,) but it returned in less than an hour and got what it came for the first time. Then I joined BYC and learned they will do this. Had I known....

well, maybe I should have guessed....

 

[lemonpeep]

Thanks to all of you with your kind words. It is nice to know that there are so many chicken lovers out there. I am still sad today over losing Estella. However, we are on alert! Watch out predators if you come in my yard. I am still in a little of a dilemma. About 1-1/2 months ago we purchased 6 Buff Orpington Chicks. We raised them, they are still young and small. We put them in a seperate pen across the yard, all nicely closed in and hopefully safe from predators. My adult chickens, now three, have their own hen house and now no fenced in yard. Our intention was always to try to blend the two groups. At what point can we try and put them all together and how do we go about doing that? I am feeling after losing Estella that we need to quickly build another fenced in area and no longer allow our adult chickens to roam free. I don't really know how they will all get along. They roamed today because I had no choice, but, I was walking the property all day to try my best to keep them protected.

I am so thankful to have your support, encouragement and wise words of chicken wisdom. Blessings to you all!

 

[Whirlwind]

So sorry about your Estella. I lost one not to long ago to a bob cat in the broad day light. Deffinatly a 4 legged preditor. With a trail of feathers. I have been chicken sitting mine now when I let them out. They are spoiled and think they should get out everyday.

 

[Big C]

Likely that you will need to set an "inhumane" trap either way. Fox or coon they will be back, they always come back...

 

[nhnanna]

I am so sorry for your loss.

and

from NH