Chicken Dummy seeking Mentor

[cmom]

Yes. Thank god. My husband is a small - big game hunter. Very concerned about the dog and small children
Not at all common. I’m in SE Michigan. I’m wondering if it was a bobcat but appeared larger. Sometimes it’s hard to judge size?! The Dept of Nat Resources is reviewing. My husband has hunted bobcat and seen cougars (out of state) on hunts. He thought it looked like a bobcat - size stature and ears. The tail isn’t visible. No tracks. Very manicured lawns over here.

I had a bobcat kill several of my Pheasants, many years ago. I was surprised at how big it was. We thought at first it was a Panther but then saw the short tail. I got one on my game camera passing through.

 

[PouleChick]

Wow I just can't imagine dealing with stuff like that and I'd be so worried about my toddler too! We went on a camping trip to Frazer island (east coast Australia) and the dingos there had attacked a toddler on its on. We didn't let my toddler at the time out of arms reach the whole time! I hope someone catches it so you can all relax a bit. Your home looks wonderful! I'm hoping to build a natural swimming pool at ours at some point - love that chairs by the lake look.

 

[aart]

Not at all common. I’m in SE Michigan. I’m wondering if it was a bobcat but appeared larger. Sometimes it’s hard to judge size?! The Dept of Nat Resources is reviewing. My husband has hunted bobcat and seen cougars (out of state) on hunts. He thought it looked like a bobcat - size stature and ears. The tail isn’t visible. No tracks. Very manicured lawns over here.

I seriously doubt cougar...but ya never know!
Great book about them.....Heart of a Lion
Lots of facts, history, and studies, but almost reads like a novel.

Welcome to BYC @LABElle1225 !
Great tho sad story, well told. Sorry for your losses.
Good move in building a run for when needed,
and you'll really love the barn coop when winter flies,
think about snow load/cover on that run.

Good to add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, then it's always there!

 

[townchicks]

So sorry about your losses. Your place looks lovely, but certainly a lot of area around it could harbor any number of predators. Rebel will most likely be a big help when he gets a little more seasoned. He's very handsome, BTW. Seems like your choice to move the girls into the barn and build a covered run is the best one. Free ranging is good in so many ways, but also comes with risks. Even when you are right there, sometimes things happen. Plenty of posts on here about that. I'm wondering if the really big bobcat could actually be a lynx?

 

[cmom]

I have lost a couple of birds during the day to hawks. One time I was about 10 feet from the bird when the hawk killed one. I chased off the hawk. One time I had some month old chicks in a small temporary pen that I can move around. The pen was next to my husband while he was cutting some wood on his table saw. A hawk came down and grabbed one of the chicks. I usually covered it but went into the house for a minute and thought since my husband was there they would be ok.