[Bumblebear]

We have been losing chickens on a regular basis over the last month or so.  Some have completely disappeared and one was a poor hen eaten whilst she was sitting on her eggs!  The have all been bantams or young, small birds.  The ones which have been disappeared were in a run (because they were for sale) and ironically enough it is these that are being picked off not the free range ones.  When I say disappeared I mean just that, not a feather in sight.

We thought maybe bird of prey so strung some rope across the top of the pen but today found another dead, eaten chicken like the broody.  It all very puzzling.  We have let them all out now so they have a chance although I would feel happier if I knew what it was so I can tackle it.

Anyone have similar experiences?

We are in rural norfolk.

[Clansman]

So they're being taken out over the top of an open topped run and eaten close by?

What height is your run?

[Bumblebear]

Nope they either disappear completely without even a single feather or are eaten on the spot.  Run is 7ft wire mesh.  No holes dug under (we have  small terriers and they can't get in or out.

[Bumblebear]

The broody was a free range hen who we didn't know was even broody until we found her remains and intact eggs.

[Steph Hen]

What size is the wire mesh and what bits of the dead birds have been eaten first? If you can tell?

[Clansman]

I had a friend with a similar problem last year and it turned out to be feral European eagle owls

[lord flynn]

I had a friend with a similar problem last year and it turned out to be feral European eagle owls

not in SW Scotland I hope!

that is weird bumblebear. I guess not rats, or stoats. Any waterways near you? red kites? I have seen a sparrowhawk take a decidedly fat woodpigeon out while it was on the ground.

what size are the hens?

[Clansman]

East Ayrshire! 

[Bumblebear]

We have marsh harriers near here so I've just contacted the BTO to see if it's typical raptor behaviour.  It's all very grim. 

[Bumblebear]

What size is the wire mesh and what bits of the dead birds have been eaten first? If you can tell?

All the fleshy bits are picked clean.  And one eye hubby said  .  Head intact.

[Bumblebear]

I had a friend with a similar problem last year and it turned out to be feral European eagle owls

not in SW Scotland I hope!

that is weird bumblebear. I guess not rats, or stoats. Any waterways near you? red kites? I have seen a sparrowhawk take a decidedly fat woodpigeon out while it was on the ground.

what size are the hens?

No waterways (other than my pond!) and all hens are banties.  We are going to put our big boy in there tonight, but I'm slightly worried that it is big enough or hungry enough to take him out.  Arghh, what to do. 

[Eve]

Are they disappearing at night or during the day?  We had a problem with a stoat / weasel last year, whatever it was managed to evade being caught on camera, too!   


Do you have or can you borrow a trail camera?

[HesterF]

I was wondering stoats or weasels too but don't know how they'd get them out of the pen....intriguing.

[Ghdp]

Just a thought. Sorry if it is too simplistic. This happened to a friend of mine. She concentrated on the fence height and discovered later  she had a 'mink problem' living under her hen house. Have you checked within the hen run?

[lord flynn]

if they are going in the day, don't underestimate a sparrowhawk. I always have them buzzing my growers pens both I where I was which was a very wooded environment and where I am now which is moorland. Otherwise I would be thinking mink but I did think they would want a burn/river.

Clansman-eek! I've heard that there is a golden eagle in the Borders (or was up until this spring) and we have ravens on the hill apparently. I didnt realise we had feral eagle owls this far south.