First predator kill

[ZuniBee]

My wife just got home and told me I better go check on my chickens because she saw a huge bird with claws like an eagle. The egg layer chickens were freeranging so I went out and rounded them back into their pen with cracked corn..... one Barred Rock and one RIR was missing.

As I was counting and recounting (while they were running all over the place eating cracked corn) the Barred Rock came up to the gate. I finally got her in and still no sign of the missing RIR.

I walked the property near where my wife saw the bird and sure enough, the RIR was there missing her head and insides and feathers were everywhere......

This has been our first enounter with a predator... I guess the bird was eating the chicken when my wife drove up. She described is as being a brownish, huge bird that was so big she could see the muscles on the legs and huge claws. She knew it was up to no good. It was probably a huge hawk.

Now everything will have to be locked up for a long time until it moves on...... It was so cool to watch the chickens have so much fun running free..... I'm also scared for my two chihuahua's now!

 

[Wildsky]

I'm so sorry Zunibee!

 

[DrakeMaiden]

Good idea to keep all the animals in lock-down for a little while.

Sorry for your loss. I hope it will be the only one.

 

[jjthink]

So sorry to hear this...........poor hen.
JJ

 

[jkcove08]

So sorry to hear you lost a bird. You will want to most definately watch your dogs too!!! My poor turkeys and geese were in a frenzy yesterday when a bald eagle flew over. At least it was only one.. Jenn

 

[SpottedCrow]

I'm sorry for your loss.

I'd rather have a wild animal take one of my pets for food rather than a stupid, bored dog for fun.

 

[birdlover]

I'm sorry about your girl. Whenever there's a predator hanging around, I keep my flock penned up until it moves on. So far, it's worked. Hopefully, it will for you, too!!

 

[eggchel]

Oh no.... Im really sorry that you lost one of your hens to a hawk. Poor girl.


Chel

 

[mom'sfolly]

sounds like a golden eagle to me. sorry about your girl.

 

[speckledhen]

Sorry to hear that, Jay. After a lockdown, you could try again. I will always freerange mine, I think, even if I lose one to a predator. It's so worth it, to me and to them, at least IMO.