Would appreciate your thoughts on predator.

[katecox]

Three days ago my 12 week old barred rock vanished in thin air. I saw her at 2:00 pm in the side yard, then when I went out at 7:30 pm she was missing. Not a feather, no trace, we searched our entire fenced property and saw nothing. We are surrounded by tall fir trees and the front acre is grass, the back acre is forested but fenced. The next morning while still searching I noticed a limp in our black australorp. Now she doesn't want to leave the coop and can barely put weight on it. I felt it and it feels okay, no bones jutted out -- but she does close her eyes when I rub it which I heard was a sign of anxiety. Would appreciate anyone's thoughts. I probably don't know enough but I thought I would put it out there. Worried of course about the future for the remaining 9 chickens.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Fox?

 

[bobbi-j]

Coyote?

 

[zazouse]

Bobcat

 

[katecox]

Would all of those leave no trace? I was thinking she would put up a little fight...I was thinking an owl -- but in broad daylight?

 

[chickencrazymamahen]

Usually those three snatch and run....they don't hang around to eat it at the point it was taken. So only evidence would be a few feathers. Hope you get your varmit.