talkinboutchickens
Constantly Talkin Bout Chickens
Agnes just died yesterday. This was a complete surprise. This morning when the chickens were let out, I later realized that Agnes was not there. And she is NOT the type to go wandering around the yard by herself. She usually stays with at least one chicken. We were very puzzled and looked around the entire yard. That's when we found a giant pile of white feathers 
A predator had gotten to her. I live in a rural area and this is surprisingly the very first time that a predator has killed one of my chickens. My friend lives in the city and they have had predators kill their chickens time and time again.
Agnes was the absolute best girl and was one of most friendliest chickens out of our 13 (now 12) chickens.
So, I was curious about what this predator could be that got her. There were feathers 5 feet from where the main pile was so do you think it was a ground predator that attacked her and dragged her away, or do you think it was an aerial predator? And how could I limit these predators and keep them away from my chickens? Despite me having two roos, they did nothing to save Agnes's life. Although, she could have been isolated from the flock, or the entire flock saw the predator and then ran for cover including the roosters. Once when a hawk was attacking one of my hens, Winnie, the roos were right there and did nothing (maybe they didn't see her?) So we took immediate action and chased the hawk away.
So anyway, here are ALL of the predators that I have either seen or heard in my yard:
Aerial:
Owls, hawks, turkey vultures (they wouldn't attack chickens I don't think), definitely other birds of prey.
Ground predators:
Coyotes, foxes, skunks, neighbor's cats, racoons, opposums, and probably weasels and mink but they would just kill her and suck the blood and leave her body.
I know that she was attacked during the day, not at night because she always went to bed or was in the nesting box at least. So It couldn't have been any of those nocturnal animals. Oh, and none of my other chickens are harmed. That right there shows me that the roosters didn't protect Agnes. No blood on combs, wattles, nothing like that.
Thanks so much! Feel free to ask any questions.
A predator had gotten to her. I live in a rural area and this is surprisingly the very first time that a predator has killed one of my chickens. My friend lives in the city and they have had predators kill their chickens time and time again.Agnes was the absolute best girl and was one of most friendliest chickens out of our 13 (now 12) chickens.
So, I was curious about what this predator could be that got her. There were feathers 5 feet from where the main pile was so do you think it was a ground predator that attacked her and dragged her away, or do you think it was an aerial predator? And how could I limit these predators and keep them away from my chickens? Despite me having two roos, they did nothing to save Agnes's life. Although, she could have been isolated from the flock, or the entire flock saw the predator and then ran for cover including the roosters. Once when a hawk was attacking one of my hens, Winnie, the roos were right there and did nothing (maybe they didn't see her?) So we took immediate action and chased the hawk away.
So anyway, here are ALL of the predators that I have either seen or heard in my yard:
Aerial:
Owls, hawks, turkey vultures (they wouldn't attack chickens I don't think), definitely other birds of prey.
Ground predators:
Coyotes, foxes, skunks, neighbor's cats, racoons, opposums, and probably weasels and mink but they would just kill her and suck the blood and leave her body.
I know that she was attacked during the day, not at night because she always went to bed or was in the nesting box at least. So It couldn't have been any of those nocturnal animals. Oh, and none of my other chickens are harmed. That right there shows me that the roosters didn't protect Agnes. No blood on combs, wattles, nothing like that.
Thanks so much! Feel free to ask any questions.
I hate it when a beloved pet dies 
I don't live in the U.S.A so not familiar with those specific types of animals but I'd say it was a ground one because an aerial would just swoop down and take their prey away (atleast I think? 
) She was a beautiful chicken 
