Would my hens be safe to free range without a rooster?

[citychicks99]

My chickens have a pen but I always let them out in my yard to free range. Since my rooster passed, I noticed activity I hadn't seen before, like poop from a bigger animal in their coop (maybe a raccoon?), and a big pile of feed taken out of their feeder. The hens are currently unharmed but I fear for their safety now that the rooster is gone. Were the predators afraid of him or is this coincidence? Not sure if I'm being paranoid. The hens do seem pretty bored if I don't let them out.

 

[Evadig]

but I fear for their safety now that the rooster is gone. Were the predators afraid of him or is this coincidence? Not sure if I'm being paranoid. The hens do seem pretty bored if I don't let them out.

My hens free range all day without a rooster.

The rooster won’t be able to defend your flock if they’re attacked. How big is your run? Can you give them things to do?

Hopefully someone else will be able to determine what animal is hanging out around your coop!

 

[citychicks99]

My hens free range all day without a rooster.

The rooster won’t be able to defend your flock if they’re attacked. How big is your run? Can you give them things to do?

Hopefully someone else will be able to determine what animal is hanging out around your coop!

I was wondering if he would have been able to defend them. They've been safe so far with him around. My run is about 8'x8' with 6 chickens. They mainly like the big rocks in my yard and hiding somewhere to make secret nests. I'm going to install a Ring camera so I can see exactly what is coming in.