Bobcats have been living in Oklahoma far longer than I have. Once when five abandoned chickens decided to make their home with me—they began to disappear, one at a time. I had no idea what was happening to them. Then, a bobcat was spotted in my yard, trotting away with the last chicken in his mouth.
After moving and getting a sturdy pen and reinforcing it several times to make it critter proof at night, I could have chickens again. I let them out during the day, and watched them. Everything was fine for about a year, and then the chickens started to disappear again. It just seemed like they would be in the yard one minute, and vanish without a trace. I locked them in the pen, and along with their grain, took grass clippings and hay to them. I had to keep them secure to to keep them alive.
I don't know what was taking the hens, but I suspect the bobcats.
The bobcats are reclusive and tend to stay away from the house, but they do occasionally get close. I have cameras on the trails around my house, and I know the cats are comfortable here.
After moving and getting a sturdy pen and reinforcing it several times to make it critter proof at night, I could have chickens again. I let them out during the day, and watched them. Everything was fine for about a year, and then the chickens started to disappear again. It just seemed like they would be in the yard one minute, and vanish without a trace. I locked them in the pen, and along with their grain, took grass clippings and hay to them. I had to keep them secure to to keep them alive.
I don't know what was taking the hens, but I suspect the bobcats.
The bobcats are reclusive and tend to stay away from the house, but they do occasionally get close. I have cameras on the trails around my house, and I know the cats are comfortable here.
Hopefully, the bobcats and I will continue to get along and both keep a respectful distance from each other.
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