Had a migraine yesterday most of the day so wasn't out and about with the girls other than checking food and water in the morning. DH came home with a migraine even worse than mine (must have been the weather) and was in bed before I left for work at 6:30. I didn't think to remind the kids to shut the pop door before I left since he was feeling so badly and of course didn't think of it when I got home at 11:20 either. I don't recall hearing a ruckus yesterday and my birds were out in the run in the afternoon like normal.
This morning I went to the coop and all the birds were inside and my 3 month olds were acting a little funny, all up in the nest boxes and hovering around my feet. Noticed my little buff silkie boy (also 3 months old) was missing. Headed out of the coop and into the run with butterflies in my stomach. Found what was left of him right around the corner of the coop. A trail of feathers like he put up a fight were in a line from the fence to where I found him. I lost a silkie a few weeks ago to a hawk and this was nothing like that, all I found that time was a circle of feathers left from when it landed on her.
In So California, land predators are less varied than other parts of the country. Even though we have Coyotes, don't think it was one of those, it would have to clear a 6+ foot fence and I doubt it would have only killed one. It's possible it was a stray cat but cats tend to take their kill with them and this was a very neat kill. I'm left with either raccoon or possom and am curious as to which it would be. If it was in fact a raccoon, DH thinks we need to change the latch on the pop door just in case since they are very smart and all we have keeping it closed now is a hook and eye. The head was gone as well as all of the insides but the wings, back, and feet were left intact. Does that mean one type of predator more than the other?
Very sad as he was super friendly and I was hoping if he wasn't too loud DH would let me keep him (he doesn't want a rooster disturbing the neighbors even though we're allowed to have one). I suppose he did his job though even being young still. He protected all his girls, even the ones that are 4 times his size!
This morning I went to the coop and all the birds were inside and my 3 month olds were acting a little funny, all up in the nest boxes and hovering around my feet. Noticed my little buff silkie boy (also 3 months old) was missing. Headed out of the coop and into the run with butterflies in my stomach. Found what was left of him right around the corner of the coop. A trail of feathers like he put up a fight were in a line from the fence to where I found him. I lost a silkie a few weeks ago to a hawk and this was nothing like that, all I found that time was a circle of feathers left from when it landed on her.
In So California, land predators are less varied than other parts of the country. Even though we have Coyotes, don't think it was one of those, it would have to clear a 6+ foot fence and I doubt it would have only killed one. It's possible it was a stray cat but cats tend to take their kill with them and this was a very neat kill. I'm left with either raccoon or possom and am curious as to which it would be. If it was in fact a raccoon, DH thinks we need to change the latch on the pop door just in case since they are very smart and all we have keeping it closed now is a hook and eye. The head was gone as well as all of the insides but the wings, back, and feet were left intact. Does that mean one type of predator more than the other?
Very sad as he was super friendly and I was hoping if he wasn't too loud DH would let me keep him (he doesn't want a rooster disturbing the neighbors even though we're allowed to have one). I suppose he did his job though even being young still. He protected all his girls, even the ones that are 4 times his size!
