You know I try. I try to protect me girls. I talk to them daily and I sit and feed them treats from my hand several times a week. I spend money on a nice coop so they have a warm place to live. I talk to them and inspect them almost every night in the coop. Im feed them well and change their water often. I protect them the best I can. I lost 50 birds back in the summer so I change my protocols with locking them up at night. I introduce new turkeys that do well but leave a week later(at least one came back today). I had a hawk that was pickin off my young bids so i penned them up with a protective roof. Ive slimmed my flock to 20 or so birds for the winter as i plan to breed next year. I had a flock of wyandottes that colby?? for byc gave me. They werent the prettiest but still pure stock. I pass on her generosity and give three hens to a gal whos been wanting them but didnt have the funds. This left me with 2 rooster and 9 or so hens. I come home today and see no chickens. Very odd seeing how its a pretty day outside. I walk into the coop and im missing 6 or so wyandottes and the rest are cuddle in the corner(weird seeing how they love the roost in the coop) I go outside and notice one of the hens laying in the dirt. I figured shes sunbathing. I go over and shes dead. What takes 6 or so birds in the daylight? Im trying but im sad and frustrated to the point of almost crying all at the same time.
I only found the one body. Shortly after posting this my brother came over and saw a about 5 coyotes a couple hundred yards behind my house. Had to be them. Ive killed all the neighboring dogs so they are no longer an issue. And yes they were free ranging.
