What kind of predator leaves no trace of chicken?

[LestersFlat]

Just yesterday, my friendliest girl disappeared without a trace. When I went to close up the coop at night, she wasn't there. It was too dark to do much of a search, even with a good flashlight, and I couldn't find her anywhere. This morning she is still gone, and even after a fairly extensive daylight search, no Red Sweetie.

Has anyone ever had a chicken just vanish? I thought that if a predator got her, that I would see some evidence of that. We have heard many stories of coyotes, bobcats, mink, weasels, fishers(?), but all seem to leave feathers or sometimes the whole chicken behind. The only thing I can think of is a hawk or an eagle swooping down to steal her away.

Just curious if anyone has any experience with this. There was not even a feather to be found. Should I give up hope that she will ever come back?

 

[Kevin565]

Is there absolutely no feathers or sign of a struggle? It could be a human predator

 

[J's Orpingtons]

My Hybrid went missing without a trace

But where i live there is no hawks or anything like that . It might be a Hawk but Kevin could be right !!

 

[LestersFlat]

Nope, no sign of struggle, no red feathers anywhere. It could be a human who stole her away, as she is the friendliest one, but there are so many chickens around here, I don't think anyone would want one. Then again, it is hunting season, and there are too many goofballs with guns around.

 

[Jay262]

Coyotes and foxes sometimes will take the birds and go away. Foxes for example will bury them and come back again later. You may wanna look around the property closely look for bury points.

 

[Kevin565]

Is it possible she could be broody somewhere near by?

 

[dadsdeercamp]

If you are in Fla.could be a python

 

[Dar]

it all depends... was she taken while she was free ranging?

raccoon's have taken my chickens and not left a trace... the only reason we know it was a coon is she was dragging the dead chicken up a tree when she was caught... (it was his fave polish roo)

 

[LestersFlat]

We are in NY state, no pythons, but all of the others are possible: raccoons, hawk, coyotes... Yes, she was free ranging when she disappeared. I didn't notice until she didn't come back in the coop last night. I left the door open for about an hour after dark hoping she might come back, but she never did. I didn't want to leave it open too long, in case there was a predator out there and the others would be in danger.

Do you think she could have gone broody? We do have a rooster who is definitely sowing his oats (so to speak). Do hens usually hide somewhere when they have an egg that they want to hatch? And they wouldn't even come in at night even when it's starting to get cold out there?

Thanks for all of your help, guys. I am really hoping I can find her.

 

[Jay262]

Its possible she is broody you can try leaving food and water around the coop and keeping a eye out for her. They get of time to time to eat and drink but if you cant find her a good chance the worst has happend or you wont know for another 3 weeks when she comes back with babies.

Coyotes and foxes btw will take chickens and not leave a feathery mess. I have had it happen a few times i dont know the exact dynamics of your property or if its fenced in or not but it search a square mile of the property forsure.