R.I.P Agnes. What killed her?

[lintlicker]

That makes a lot of sense because a hawk probably wouldn't be strong enough to carry her somewhere. We only have small-ish hawks here like redtails and coopers hawks and such so they wouldn't likely wouldn't be able to carry a 5 lb+ chicken, right? We have heard foxes here before, mostly at night so that makes sense..There was a few feathers into the woods a bit farther from the crime scene. No, it has not been back knock on wood

Chickens are a meat locker, chances are high the offender will be back at some point, free range them when youre outside and can supervise if possible. A cooper hawk nailed a silkie we had once...sad...string of feathers in a line most likely is indicating a fox, might even be able to follow back to the den potentially.

 

[talkinboutchickens]

Chickens are a meat locker, chances are high the offender will be back at some point, free range them when youre outside and can supervise if possible. A cooper hawk nailed a silkie we had once...sad...string of feathers in a line most likely is indicating a fox, might even be able to follow back to the den potentially.

I will make a scarecrow and other things to try to keep it away. You're right and I probably could have followed the feathers to the den maybe but it's been many months and the feathers are likely blown away now. So sorry about your silkie

 

[lintlicker]

I will make a scarecrow and other things to try to keep it away. You're right and I probably could have followed the feathers to the den maybe but it's been many months and the feathers are likely blown away now. So sorry about your silkie

thank you, sorry for yours as well! All we can do is try our best to mitigate this stuff. Fox are VERY clever and opportunists, the more presence you have when you are free ranging the better!

 

[talkinboutchickens]

thank you, sorry for yours as well! All we can do is try our best to mitigate this stuff. Fox are VERY clever and opportunists, the more presence you have when you are free ranging the better!

Thank you so much. I still miss her a lot and the way she used to waddle up to me when I would go outside That's a good idea. When we start free-ranging them again after bird flu has calmed down, we'll supervise them as much as we can even though it probably won't be possible to do all the time.

 

[2 Acres]

Thank you so much. I still miss her a lot and the way she used to waddle up to me when I would go outside That's a good idea. When we start free-ranging them again after bird flu has calmed down, we'll supervise them as much as we can even though it probably won't be possible to do all the time.

Not to be crude, but human urine is a big deterrent to drive off predators.

 

[talkinboutchickens]

Not to be crude, but human urine is a big deterrent to drive off predators.

Oh I did not know that

 

[Gezellige_Poes]

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.
View attachment 3963813
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.

This is just terrible, for both you and your sweet peep!! One of life's lasting traumatic events where you desperately wish you could turn back the hands of time and somehow avert this disaster! I'm so very sorry, big hugs to you and RIP to Agnes! This kind of thing appears to be coming in waves, so many posts along the same lines!

 

[Luv Ducks]

This is just terrible, for both you and your sweet peep!! One of life's lasting traumatic events where you desperately wish you could turn back the hands of time and somehow avert this disaster! I'm so very sorry, big hugs to you and RIP to Agnes! This kind of thing appears to be coming in waves, so many posts along the same lines!

It's spring and the predators are feeding their young. They will stop at nothing to get food for their babies. It's their motherly instinct. We have to be on the lookout even more this time of year to in order to protect our flocks. I feel so sorry for all of the losses.

 

[talkinboutchickens]

This is just terrible, for both you and your sweet peep!! One of life's lasting traumatic events where you desperately wish you could turn back the hands of time and somehow avert this disaster! I'm so very sorry, big hugs to you and RIP to Agnes! This kind of thing appears to be coming in waves, so many posts along the same lines!

Thank you so much for the kind words I really wish she was still here, she had so much personality

It's spring and the predators are feeding their young. They will stop at nothing to get food for their babies. It's their motherly instinct. We have to be on the lookout even more this time of year to in order to protect our flocks. I feel so sorry for all of the losses.

Do you know what I can do to protect my babies without keeping them locked up? Like what will ward the predators off? Thank you so much.

 

[BlackHenCoop]

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.
View attachment 3963813
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.

Definitely not an aerial predator, they would only leave some feathers at best. I also have had this happen and you can definitely rule out the cats weasels, raccoons and small creatures like that. I think it could have either been a fox, coyote or a dog. Dogs are surprisingly really aggressive when it comes to birds! I struggle to keep them away from my feather babies!