I had no problems for the longest time, now, I've lost two pullets and a young hen in a month!
What is killing my lighter bodied birds?? Today it was an Americauna, sweetest little hen, body left, only head and neck and spine area gone/damaged.
Can I safely free range my hens or do I have to pen them? I don't clip their wings. I can't keep a Roo due to town ordinance. We live in suburban MA. Grassy backyard with a 5' chainlink fence surrounding we also keep four small dogs, though they aren't left unattended in the backyard. I've seen a fisher cat in the area and also maybe a hawk. Would an outdoor cat help, but how could I get it to leave the hens alone?
Is this a seasonal problem? Doesn't seem to be bothering my bigger hens- PBR, Orps, and Black Star.
What is killing my lighter bodied birds?? Today it was an Americauna, sweetest little hen, body left, only head and neck and spine area gone/damaged.
Can I safely free range my hens or do I have to pen them? I don't clip their wings. I can't keep a Roo due to town ordinance. We live in suburban MA. Grassy backyard with a 5' chainlink fence surrounding we also keep four small dogs, though they aren't left unattended in the backyard. I've seen a fisher cat in the area and also maybe a hawk. Would an outdoor cat help, but how could I get it to leave the hens alone?
Is this a seasonal problem? Doesn't seem to be bothering my bigger hens- PBR, Orps, and Black Star.