First Predator Loss - Hawk?

[cluckingheck]

I’m fairly certain it was a cooper’s hawk or red tail as I’ve seen it checking the property out but I’m just wanting to be 100% certain this is what happened. It looks like a hawk attack to me but this is the first time I’ve actually had it happen….I knew it was only a matter of time. It happened around 12 and within an hour of letting them out ( I even let them out later than usual ). She also had a hole pecked through her back right above her hips.

Spoiler: graphic

 

[sourland]

Scattered feathers around the carcass are typical of a hawk kill.

 

[cluckingheck]

Scattered feathers around the carcass are typical of a hawk kill.

That and it looked like her neck feathers were plucked. Isn’t that another hawk MO? I couldn’t find anything that looked like talon puncture marks but he did eat on her pretty well and she still had feathers to cover any up on her back.

 

[cluckingheck]

Did see an eagle a few days before at my Grammie’s which is about 5 miles away.

 

[cmom]

Likely a hawk. Put up a camera and see what may be roaming around and you may be surprised, I was. We have a lot of predators that roam here especially at night. An eagle will also kill. We have bald eagles around here. They look like big hawks. They don't get their white heads and tails until around 5 years old. Good luck...

 

[cluckingheck]

Well, everyone is on chicken & duck lockdown until a run can be built. I even heard a hawk right overhead ( might have even landed in the trees above the coop ) when I was taking their waterer and feeders in. Probably wondering where his snacks went. It seems like hawks are real bad this year as a lot of people have been losing chickens left and right.

 

[cluckingheck]

Not much of an update, but yep it’s a hawk. It keeps coming back and sitting on the fence post by the coop. Chickens haven’t been let out since Thursday and this guy hasn’t given up yet as he still made an appearance today at the same spot.