ChickenCrossing.Org

so a couple of weeks ago durring a heavy rain, two of my girls were throwing themselves at the window trying to get inside the house. We figured it was because of the rain, but the next day when the rain dried up, my buff orpington, Popcorn, was missing. I looked everywhere for her. I did not find any signs of her. No feathers, no blood, nothing. I was worried though, because my beloved Caroline was missing patches of feathers, and most of her tail feathers were gone as well. Four days later, I resigned myself to the idea that Popcorn was gone. Now I was down to two girls.

About three days ago, Caroline went missing as well. I nearly cried when I couldnt find her. I just knew she was gone...There were piles of black feathers all over the yard. I was so shaken that I grabbed my remaining girl, a black and gold easter egger named Waffle, and put her in a dog crate in my bedroom.

As you may know, I was looking for a coop to build to keep them in, and they free ranged...I never had a problem with it before. I had a single buff orpington hen for 10 years out there. Well, I got on craigs list, and bought a used 10 x 10 x 6 dog kennel, brought it home, set it up, and the following day, covered the top with wire, and two galvanized metal sheets to sheild one end from rain. Poor Waffle has been in a dog crate in my bedroom for two nights. It took me all weekend, and the assistance of my boyfriend, but we got it up, and covered, and Waffle is out there tonight...all by herself. I am so nervous that she wont be there in the morning...

I know for certain that Popcorn is gone, because on a hunch, I looked under a workshop that I have in the yard. I found a chicken pelvis and brestbone with one thigh bone attatched. I found a few clumps of yellow feathers, and another part that I could not reach to see what it was, and an opposum that looked like it had been torn appart on the same exact spot I found Popcorn. What do you think is killing my chickens? I have a six foot privacy fence, and plenty of trees. I am thinking racoon, and if so, I may have my work cut out for me in closing every gap in that kennel...and now what do I do for Waffle? She is so lost and lonely...she isnt very smart, and spent her days following my other two girls around...I went outside for a while after Caroline went missing, and Waffle sat by me for an hour till I took her inside. She is so lonely...I think the only thing that saved her is her spotty coloring...maybe she is harder for a predator to see, but now I dont know what to do. The feed store dosnt have chicks right now, and I dont even know if I SHOULD get more...

Last edited by Dawn (11-02-2009 07:29:33)