Well last night went to close in my larger group for the night and one of the girls was standing on the roost squawking away and I was wondering what was up with her. Then I did my nightly head count and one was missing. Now I have had some escape from their open confines before only to return in the morning but this was different as the usual suspects were on the roost. So flashlight in hand started the search that took around a minute to find her body. Head missing,feathers about and obvious talon marks on her body. She was one of the original group, a RIR, my girl "October" now gone.
I guess 3 years in with a first predator loss is pretty good by standards. I know a lot of us here have lost some in some form of attack, so I should be grateful that it took this long. Knew going in it would happen eventually but doesn't make any less sad. More so because she was an original and on my list of "my chickens".
Never had much of a problem with hawks, as the rooster is always on guard. I have seen them fly over and around for years without even an attempt at the flock. Just hope it doesn't return and force me to do something I would hate to do but my girls come first.
Thanks for listening.
I guess 3 years in with a first predator loss is pretty good by standards. I know a lot of us here have lost some in some form of attack, so I should be grateful that it took this long. Knew going in it would happen eventually but doesn't make any less sad. More so because she was an original and on my list of "my chickens".
Never had much of a problem with hawks, as the rooster is always on guard. I have seen them fly over and around for years without even an attempt at the flock. Just hope it doesn't return and force me to do something I would hate to do but my girls come first.
Thanks for listening.
