RIP Chickpea

[Cali Chickens]

Our first predator attack happened today. We live in a pretty rural area, and we've seen foxes and skunks and our neighbors have told us about bears in the area, but I guess we got lulled into a false sense of security with nothing bad happening to our semi free-range girls. But today they were chased around the house by something(we think a fox) and when we ran outside, Chickpea, our Jubilee Orpington, was missing from the scattered flock. We found a bunch of her feathers a little ways from the house with no other sign of her. I feel so guilty for not being more worried about their safety. She was only a year and a few months. rip Chickpea

 

[PoultryCQ]

Our first predator attack happened today. We live in a pretty rural area, and we've seen foxes and skunks and our neighbors have told us about bears in the area, but I guess we got lulled into a false sense of security with nothing bad happening to our semi free-range girls. But today they were chased around the house by something(we think a fox) and when we ran outside, Chickpea, our Jubilee Orpington, was missing from the scattered flock. We found a bunch of her feathers a little ways from the house with no other sign of her. I feel so guilty for not being more worried about their safety. She was only a year and a few months. rip Chickpea View attachment 2777915
View attachment 2777910

Keep looking for her, sometimes they show up. Loss is just something thats quite often when free ranging unfortunately.

It does however mean that hopefully you can better protect your flock. Sorry about your hen, she sounded like a great bird...

 

[Cali Chickens]

Keep looking for her, sometimes they show up. Loss is just something thats quite often when free ranging unfortunately.

It does however mean that hopefully you can better protect your flock. Sorry about your hen, she sounded like a great bird...

Thanks, I hope we keep a better eye out now. She was a really good chicken

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

She was beautiful. Im very sorry. As @T P S said, it is Possible she is hiding and will try to return this eve near dusk. But the scene you describe sounds like a fox. Now that it has found your chickens, it will keep returning hoping to get more. It only takes a fox a few seconds to snatch, grab and run away with a chicken, so do be wary.

 

[theoldchick]

So pretty! Sorry for your loss.

 

[Cali Chickens]

it is Possible she is hiding and will try to return this eve near dusk

Somehow, I found her again, still alive! I was walking around and followed a trail of feathers to what I thought was where the fox had gone, but was actually where she was hiding! I don't think she has any injuries, no blood, but she was (and still is) shaken and not moving around. I brought her inside and put her in a box to warm up (it's around 55 f where I am). Is there anything else I can do to help her? I'm planning on returning her to the coop and her sisters in a few hours for the night.

 

[bill3607]

That's good. Sounds like she is fine. I think your main concern now should be that all your chickens are secure until you eliminate the predator which sounds an awful lot like a fox. It will be back.

 

[PoultryCQ]

Somehow, I found her again, still alive! I was walking around and followed a trail of feathers to what I thought was where the fox had gone, but was actually where she was hiding! I don't think she has any injuries, no blood, but she was (and still is) shaken and not moving around. I brought her inside and put her in a box to warm up (it's around 55 f where I am). Is there anything else I can do to help her? I'm planning on returning her to the coop and her sisters in a few hours for the night.

So glad you found her!

 

[PoultryCQ]

That's good. Sounds like she is fine. I think your main concern now should be that all your chickens are secure until you eliminate the predator which sounds an awful lot like a fox. It will be back.

I agree. Make sure your coop is predator proof, with an anti dig apron PR a cement slab at the bottom of the coop so nothing can dig in.

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

So happy you found her!! Since you did, may have been a raptor attack not a fox. Possibly a juvenile since she escaped. (Not sure she could have sucessfully hid from a fox of any age, but a raptor, yes.)

How is she this morning? You mentioned she wasnt moving around much. I would check her very carefully for any puncture wounds. Puncture wounds are small and dont bleed much, but can be very deep. Part her feathers and examine every inch to make sure she wasnt injured.