Chicken help

Farmflock123

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How do I keep my chickens safe? We had about 30 and now we have about 12. What do I do? Also they are not molting but they are also not laying eggs. Why?
 

Mini Horses

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Often you can determine what predator is taking them by any remains you find & condition. If totally disappeared, then you're looking at hawk, fox, coyote or stray dog -- most likely. I'm assuming they are free range. Advise how housed day & night for suggestions.

As to laying, it's winter. Shorter days. They prefer approx 14 hrs of daylight. Some lay with less. But many stop or greatly reduce lay in winter. Commercial houses use lights and the hens also wear themselves out from no time to rebuild body. It's why they totally replace them every yr or two. Processed as pet food birds then.
 

Farmflock123

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They completely disappear and they do get locked in at night.
 

Mini Horses

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If totally disappeared, then you're looking at hawk, fox, coyote or stray dog
These will grab & run most often...may find a few feathers. Occasionally they will run a ways and consume...usually hawk & fox carry to den/nest.

Watch for those predators.
 
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