- Aug 21, 2014
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I would love all of you more experienced chicken-keeping folks to let me know if this is normal chicken behavior, and if there is anything we should be doing about it.
We have been keeping chickens for 2-1/2 years now, and a few days ago, we had our very first tragic predator attack! I thought that was a pretty good run, but doesn't make this time any sadder.
We had been out for the afternoon and got home a little late, at dusk. We knew right away something had happened, as the chickens were acting peculiarly. They all went into their coop, and when we went to close it all up, that's when we realized one was missing. Our black australorpe. Of course, the most loved one to one of my boys. They had such a special relationship. I wish it was any other chicken. But I digress.
We found her dead by the back fence, pretty torn up. Right where they all run for shelter when a predator flies over. (We do have semi predator dissuasion over upper yard run - a criss-cross string contraption of sorts, that has worked amazingly well, and then a 100% secure smaller run. But I don't want to make this any longer than necessary.) Bottom line, we're thinking a hawk hopped in, and attacked. They are flying over all of the time, every day. Any hawk would not be able to swoop down, and also would not have easily been able to fly and carry away the chicken, because of our string contraption. But we're pretty sure that was the predator, where we are.
The problem has been, that now the rest of the chickens have not been coming out of their coop for the day, in the morning. They just stay in all day long, unless we lure them out with treats. In which case they come out, eat, and go back in if they can.
Are they afraid of predators now, more than they ever were before? (They've always been great on keeping a lookout, and running for cover if need be.) Do they remember what they witnessed happen to their fellow chicken? I didn't think chickens had memories like that. Similar to how you can sneak a new chicken into a coop in the dark, and no on will really notice there is a new one in the morning. Do they know there is one missing now? Are they traumatized or grieving? Is there anything we should be doing about this, such as force them out and close up the coop until the end of the afternoon. (Only one is still laying, because of the cold season here now.)
We'd love your thoughts.
We have been keeping chickens for 2-1/2 years now, and a few days ago, we had our very first tragic predator attack! I thought that was a pretty good run, but doesn't make this time any sadder.
We had been out for the afternoon and got home a little late, at dusk. We knew right away something had happened, as the chickens were acting peculiarly. They all went into their coop, and when we went to close it all up, that's when we realized one was missing. Our black australorpe. Of course, the most loved one to one of my boys. They had such a special relationship. I wish it was any other chicken. But I digress.
We found her dead by the back fence, pretty torn up. Right where they all run for shelter when a predator flies over. (We do have semi predator dissuasion over upper yard run - a criss-cross string contraption of sorts, that has worked amazingly well, and then a 100% secure smaller run. But I don't want to make this any longer than necessary.) Bottom line, we're thinking a hawk hopped in, and attacked. They are flying over all of the time, every day. Any hawk would not be able to swoop down, and also would not have easily been able to fly and carry away the chicken, because of our string contraption. But we're pretty sure that was the predator, where we are.
The problem has been, that now the rest of the chickens have not been coming out of their coop for the day, in the morning. They just stay in all day long, unless we lure them out with treats. In which case they come out, eat, and go back in if they can.
Are they afraid of predators now, more than they ever were before? (They've always been great on keeping a lookout, and running for cover if need be.) Do they remember what they witnessed happen to their fellow chicken? I didn't think chickens had memories like that. Similar to how you can sneak a new chicken into a coop in the dark, and no on will really notice there is a new one in the morning. Do they know there is one missing now? Are they traumatized or grieving? Is there anything we should be doing about this, such as force them out and close up the coop until the end of the afternoon. (Only one is still laying, because of the cold season here now.)
We'd love your thoughts.