Attack from unknown source took two of my girls? Pics/NSFW

[Memento Rose]

I'll make this short and to the point.

I have/had 8 4-week old pullets I let free roam in an 9x9 run during the day. The run has fencing up to 6ft tall and had very small bars for the first 3 ft so things can't just reach in.

I've been letting them do this for a bit now without any issues until today. I've also noted no real predators around here either as I've sat out here for hours even watching for hawks, etc. I do have wild turkeys, squirrels, rabbits, etc.

What I'm saying is, I've made an effort to attempt to do my homework here while still building the roof to the run.

Anyway, I came up here this evening to spend time with the girls and two of them were dead. One only had one wound one the neck, the other, same wound on the neck with other smaller wounds on the body.

I want to say obviously it's a hawk, but I'm at a loss here because there were no feathers or anything like a typical attack. They weren't eaten or torn in any way. Also, there is a skirt around the run to prevent burrowing, and no burrowing points.

Attached are pics of the wounds.

Help please?

 

[Memento Rose]

Also for ref, I live in the forest in East Tenn.

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry for your loss. Besides a hawk, raccoons can get into a run without a roof. I would lock them up in a safe place during the day until you finish the roof. If any are in shock, offer some sugar water to them. Are there any wounds on the survivors? They are too young to be outside on their own. A wire dog crate with food and water is more safe.

 

[lagrange chicks]

I would think hawk would of flew off with them.

 

[Memento Rose]

Sorry for your loss. Besides a hawk, raccoons can get into a run without a roof. I would lock them up in a safe place during the day until you finish the roof. If any are in shock, offer some sugar water to them. Are there any wounds on the survivors? They are too young to be outside on their own. A wire dog crate with food and water is more safe.

.

I'm fairly sure if it was a raccoon there would be a lot more of a mess made of the bodies or obvious signs with the run. There is no way the wiring could have supported the weight.

The others were fine. I'm sitting in here with them, giving them each personalized attention. They seem to be acting very normal. Or as normal as they can be for teenagers.

Why do you say they are too young to be out here alone? The weather here is 75-85, breezy. They seem to love it. All day long they either stretch out, hunt bugs, race around, etc. I always bring them in before the temperature drops or random rain hits.

 

[Memento Rose]

I would think hawk would of flew off with them.

Right?!

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I don’t think they’re too young because of temperature but because of size. Meaning if they aren’t secured in a run with a roof something could get them just because they’re small. I don’t know where you are exactly in east TN but if you’re in the forest you have predators besides hawks. I am in WNC and we have possums and skunks in addition to hawks, raccoons, coyotes, bob cats and probably something I’m forgetting. Bears. Lol. I have a couple questions to help us narrow this down: 1) do you have any older chickens and 2) can you post a picture of the area you have them hanging out in?

 

[Memento Rose]

I don’t think they’re too young because of temperature but because of size. Meaning if they aren’t secured in a run with a roof something could get them just because they’re small. I don’t know where you are exactly in east TN but if you’re in the forest you have predators besides hawks. I am in WNC and we have possums and skunks in addition to hawks, raccoons, coyotes, bob cats and probably something I’m forgetting. Bears. Lol. I have a couple questions to help us narrow this down: 1) do you have any older chickens and 2) can you post a picture of the area you have them hanging out in?

I can post it later, but the wounds alone are pretty specific, lol. It's not likely to be *most* of the normal predators you run across here. That's why reading the post and seeing the pictures are important.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I can post it later, but the wounds alone are pretty specific, lol. It's not likely to be *most* of the normal predators you run across here. That's why reading the post and seeing the pictures are important.

sorry I thought you wanted help

 

[Eggcessive]

I'm fairly sure if it was a raccoon there would be a lot more of a mess made of the bodies or obvious signs with the run. There is no way the wiring could have supported the weight.

The others were fine. I'm sitting in here with them, giving them each personalized attention. They seem to be acting very normal. Or as normal as they can be for teenagers.

Why do you say they are too young to be out here alone? The weather here is 75-85, breezy. They seem to love it. All day long they either stretch out, hunt bugs, race around, etc. I always bring them in before the temperature drops or random rain hits.

I put my little chicks out in the grass on a sunny day if it is warm enough, but I put them in a wire dog crate where nothing can get to them. When they are small enough to be lifted by a hawk, they have to be in a secure run. A picture of the run might help us to see.