Bobcat preying on chickens captured in Castle Rock coop

CASTLE ROCK, Colo. — One by one, Melissa Bringhurst's chickens were disappearing. She allowed them to free range, but eventually constructed a coop to keep them safe. Even that didn't stop the predator. 

Bringhurst came to learn what picked off her flock of 30 chickens when the predator became trapped in the coop. 

A healthy adult bobcat found its way inside the coop through a small flap in the coop's wiring that only opens in gusts of wind. It became trapped, eating a chicken inside the coop, but leaving two others — the last two survivors — alone. 

Bringhurst recorded video of the Colorado predator when she happened upon it jumping to attempt an escape. As it struggled to find the same hole through which it entered, Bringhurst opened the door of the coop and retreated to safety. 

One chicken escaped through the door and eventually, so too did the cat. 

Now, Bringhurst's flock of chickens is down to one. She said she will no longer allow her chickens to free range, should she decide to replenish the flock. 

Check out video Bringhurst captured in the player above!