Dead chicken....uncertain of what may have done this to her (graphic pics!!!!)

[chickengeorgeto]

Quick question, because I am sitting here stressing (I hatched all my birds and handraised them so i truly love them)....do you guys think the attack was potentially somewhat painless for her (like the force or shock preceded death). She was intact, eyes closed, head intact, etc. despite what happened with her torso. It just makes me so sick and sad . I know no one is a mind reader and there were no witnesses, but I am just thinking about her and distressed .

I also think that a raptor was involved in the death of you chicken. To answer your other question in a truthful manner I really don't think that you want a truthful answer to your question about a chicken suffering an awful death at the hands of a hawk.
Instead you may wish to search this web sight for posts about chickens who survived after a hawk had made a meal out of a living chicken.

 

[Alexandra33]

My deepest sorrow for your loss of a precious pet, @chloemae . You gave her the best life a chicken could have.

This definitely bear the marks of a raptor. Hawks are an even greater threat during colder months, it seems. As for your most recent concern, I've heard (allegedly) some attacks result in an instant, painless death, which I hope is the case here. I wasn't present for the large majority of death-by-hawk incidents in my own flock, unfortunately, so it's impossible to make assumptions. That said, I'm currently in the process of nursing one of my bantam Easter Eggers back to health after catching a Red-Tailed red-handed yesterday. Her abdomen was opened up, an air sac penetrated in the process, plus a potentially broken wing, and an armpit wound. Likely the hawk would've consumed her as things were, instead of first making a kill. Hence why she's alive to tell the tale.

Best to keep the flock closed in for a couple days.

~Alex

 

[chloemae]

I also think that a raptor was involved in the death of you chicken. To answer your other question in a truthful manner I really don't think that you want a truthful answer to your question about a chicken suffering an awful death at the hands of a hawk.
Instead you may wish to search this web sight for posts about chickens who survived after a hawk had made a meal out of a living chicken.

Thank you, I do very much appreciate your honesty.

 

[chloemae]

My deepest sorrow for your loss of a precious pet, @chloemae . You gave her the best life a chicken could have.

This definitely bear the marks of a raptor. Hawks are an even greater threat during colder months, it seems. As for your most recent concern, I've heard (allegedly) some attacks result in an instant, painless death, which I hope is the case here. I wasn't present for the large majority of death-by-hawk incidents in my own flock, unfortunately, so it's impossible to make assumptions. That said, I'm currently in the process of nursing one of my bantam Easter Eggers back to health after catching a Red-Tailed red-handed yesterday. Her abdomen was opened up, an air sac penetrated in the process, plus a potentially broken wing, and an armpit wound. Likely the hawk would've consumed her as things were, instead of first making a kill. Hence why she's alive to tell the tale.

Best to keep the flock closed in for a couple days.

~Alex

Awww, Alex, I am so sorry and hope that your bird makes a full recovery. I will keep everyone closed up and continue to protect them the best that I can. I truly appreciate your heartful response. Thank you

 

[Alexandra33]

Awww, Alex, I am so sorry and hope that your bird makes a full recovery. I will keep everyone closed up and continue to protect them the best that I can. I truly appreciate your heartful response. Thank you

Thank you so very much. My little Mouse is doing quite well, thanks to the hopes and prayers of everyone who knows of her situation.

Best wishes for your flock's safety. You're doing all you can, which is commendable. More than welcome.

~Alex

 

[twilightgecko]

hugs.. so sorry, i know how it feels.. my birds are my babies.. and i've lost some to foxes.. it's heart breaking, i know.. mine only get out on supervised outings now.. your others might be skiddish for awhile, they probably saw the attack and they probably wont even want out.. mine felt safer in the coop after they saw a crow killed.. still don't know what kills a crow..
all we can do is keep our remaining babies as safe as we can..