Chicken killed by Owl

[nicelittlehens]

Early this morning i found my most prettiest chicken (Easter Chicken) dead with her head off and half eaten. I only hope that the owl killed her fast so she didnt suffer. It happened around 7:30 this morning. I plan on investing on an automatic door so they arent let out too early or too late.


:'(


Does anyone know a good way to keep owls away?

 

[mom'sfolly]

Probably wasn't an owl. It was more likely a racoon.

Owls are protected....check out any one of a million threads here on hawks and owls. It is a federal law, so it applies in every state. If you do want to dispatch it....don't post it here. It could get you into trouble and it might annoy people. These sorts of discussions frequently get shut down.

Lots of people hang up CDs to keep hawks out, it should work for owls; but owls hunt differently from hawks. Hawks hunt on wing with a success rate of about 30%, while most owls hunt from trees and have a success rate of 80-90%.

Sorry about you chicky, my second prettiest is an EE

 

[lurky]

I'm pretty sure its criminal to mess with an owl. Why don't you just close them up at night and let them out when you Choose in the morning?

 

[nicelittlehens]

Thanks for your info...I wasn’t aware owls are protected in the state of Indiana, however, I will check with the DNR. I’m not one to break the law but I have to tell you I don’t have much sympathy for this owl who murdered my hen, so you will have to pardon me if I don’t feel sympathetic about the owls protection.

I guess it could have been a raccoon, but whatever it was I will make provisions.

 

[SpottedCrow]

Probably not an owl, like everyone else said...
Raccoon is the major culprit at night...They can open doors and grab through wire and fun stuff like that.