Hencraze24
Songster
So, my current flock consisted of 5 pullets, 7 hens, and 3 cockerels (trying to rehome 2 of them. ). In the past 3 days, all 3 of my 2 1/2 month old roos have been found dead. It started with my Cochin, who was found missing a leg, wing, and his head. then my Polish, ripped in half, and my Japanese bantam has gone missing. What's happening?
Theory number 1: My cockerels have been killing each other. (but that doesn't explain starflight, our Japanese bantam) In my thread can't get cockerels to stop fighting, I talked about how my 3 roos are beating each other bloody. I guess maybe the fighting got carried away? I doubt it.
Theory number 2: my hens are killing them. My hens are treating the pullets very well right now, and are about 1 year and a quarter old. There have been no issues, outside of a pullet found with an eye injury. (she's fine now) However, our RIRs have been quite aggressive with our smaller pullets. I doubt this theory too, but it is a possibility.
theory number 3: A hawk did this. We are not at all new to hawk attacks. Over the winter, we lost 5 (nearly 6) of our original flock of 12. A massive cooper's hawk was responsible for this. He avoided our decoy owl and fishing line, as well and shiny objects. Nothing worked. What do we do?
What do you guys think happened? I think the hawk did this, but I could be wrong. How do I stop this from happening again? Any advice is appreciated.
Theory number 1: My cockerels have been killing each other. (but that doesn't explain starflight, our Japanese bantam) In my thread can't get cockerels to stop fighting, I talked about how my 3 roos are beating each other bloody. I guess maybe the fighting got carried away? I doubt it.
Theory number 2: my hens are killing them. My hens are treating the pullets very well right now, and are about 1 year and a quarter old. There have been no issues, outside of a pullet found with an eye injury. (she's fine now) However, our RIRs have been quite aggressive with our smaller pullets. I doubt this theory too, but it is a possibility.
theory number 3: A hawk did this. We are not at all new to hawk attacks. Over the winter, we lost 5 (nearly 6) of our original flock of 12. A massive cooper's hawk was responsible for this. He avoided our decoy owl and fishing line, as well and shiny objects. Nothing worked. What do we do?
What do you guys think happened? I think the hawk did this, but I could be wrong. How do I stop this from happening again? Any advice is appreciated.