What took my hens?????!!!!!!

[jaimedes]

The specifics as far as Bulls eye or not bull's-eyes really doesn't matter because each bird is somewhat different but if it is in a circular pattern it is most likely a bird of prey! A lot of fluffy feathers?

Yes!! A lot of he fluffy ones.

 

[jaimedes]

It’s probably either a raccoon or a fox. Coons are super smart with this kinda stuff. They could easily get your poor hens. But a fox is more of a better hunter, and the way that your hens’ feathers were left in the run would probably be the fox’s hunting skills. Either way, I suggest you try to lock the run and coop securely and add a more secure roof. Hope this helps!

Thanks. Yes. We will be making some changes. I’ve had girls in this run for almost two years and last week was my first predator attack. As I said I thought it was a fluke but now I know better.

 

[jaimedes]

Also what time ish did this happen? Racoons and roxes prefer night early morninv hunting. As where a hawk hunts during the day

Last time I saw her was about 7 pm last night. They go into the barn at dusk. I didn’t go back up until today around 6 pm so my guess is sometime today. Would have been after dawn when they come out of the barn.

 

[jaimedes]

Possums are ravenous predators, and yes they will take an adult hen. They are relentless once they find a food source. I would set a live catch trap baited with a can of sardines. If it is a possum or a raccoon you will probably catch it the first night. Once you have caught it, I would suggest dispatching it. Relocating is just passing the problem off to someone else, and if you don't take them far enough they will find their way back.

Thanks. I had considered a trap. I’ll be looking for one tomorrow. Can’t hurt. Thanks.

 

[jaimedes]

I’m very sorry about your lost I don’t think it was a fox. A fox would have made a lot more damage. About a month ago, a fox killed five out eight hens i had. They were large English breed. They would kill them and burry or hide whatever they can’t finish for later. I hate them with passion. The fox keeps coming back almost every day but I don’t let them out alone anymore

Thank you, and I am sorry for your loss also. We kind of thought if it was a fox more than one would go missing at a time but I have heard differing opinions on that.

 

[Duckstail]

Thanks. I had considered a trap. I’ll be looking for one tomorrow. Can’t hurt. Thanks.

Fyi all hawks and owls are federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 USC, 703-711). These laws strictly prohibit the capture, killing, or possession of hawks or owls without special permit.

So if someone says kill or trap it, u should just assume that person knows nothing and not listen to them,ever!

 

[Tesumph]

I’m fairly sure it’s not a raccoon. Every raccoon attack we’ve had (which is a lot) they’ve left a bird or birds maimed in the coop/run. I’ve never seen one completely get rid of a body.
Headless chickens, barely alive maimed chickens, chickens pulled through wire = coon.
Huge loss of chickens with little to no survivors and little to nothing eaten = dog.
Repeated disappearance of one to a couple chickens every few days with just feathers left = fox.
One chicken roughly once a week with little to no body left/body scattered and lots of feathers left = bird of prey.
I’ve never had a possum or a bobcat attack.. I thought I heard possums were kind of sloppy, I’m thinking you would have seen more evidence? Bobcat could be possible. Those are just my personal experiences/observations, I’m sure someone will disagree. Cover the rest of your run up in case it’s a raptor, and set some traps with something smelly in case it’s a coon or possum. Set a camera up to see if it’s a fox or bobcat.. you probably won’t catch either in a trap.

 

[jaimedes]

Fyi all hawks and owls are federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 USC, 703-711). These laws strictly prohibit the capture, killing, or possession of hawks or owls without special permit.

So if someone says kill or trap it, u should just assume that person knows nothing and not listen to them,ever!

Thanks, and yes, I know that. I’m looking to get the live trap for raccoons or possums.

 

[jaimedes]

I’m fairly sure it’s not a raccoon. Every raccoon attack we’ve had (which is a lot) they’ve left a bird or birds maimed in the coop/run. I’ve never seen one completely get rid of a body.
Headless chickens, barely alive maimed chickens, chickens pulled through wire = coon.
Huge loss of chickens with little to no survivors and little to nothing eaten = dog.
Repeated disappearance of one to a couple chickens every few days with just feathers left = fox.
One chicken roughly once a week with little to no body left/body scattered and lots of feathers left = bird of prey.
I’ve never had a possum or a bobcat attack.. I thought I heard possums were kind of sloppy, I’m thinking you would have seen more evidence? Bobcat could be possible. Those are just my personal experiences/observations, I’m sure someone will disagree. Cover the rest of your run up in case it’s a raptor, and set some traps with something smelly in case it’s a coon or possum. Set a camera up to see if it’s a fox or bobcat.. you probably won’t catch either in a trap.

Thank you! I am leaning toward raptor or fox at this point. We will be building a real roof over the run now and I did set up 2 trail cams but they are aimed low so if it is a raptor I won’t see anything. I was hoping to get some idea of WHAT so I could be smarter about HOW. I sincerely doubt we have bobcats since this is a fairly suburban area.

 

[Rocky Rhodes]

I don't think anyone has suggested that you kill or capture a hawk or owl. They are federally protected. I think, however, this is ridiculous. Hawks are not endangered. There were 3 large red tailed hawks on the power lines between my house and the main road, which is about 1/2 mile. There are Cooper's hawks and sparrow hawks and red tails in abundance around here. I don't believe anyone should start killing them for sport, but homeowners should be allowed to protect their livestock. I follow the law, but some laws have no reason for existing.