My thoughts and prayers go out to lil Dumplin'. Why is it they can always spot our favorite ones like that.....sigh. I'm so sorry to hear that happened to her and to you.
My favorite brahma pullet, Eagle, was attacked on Saturday, just 5 days ago. Thankfully I walked out there in the nick of time and that evil hawk dropped her and left, and she did survive. It's so upsetting, and my chicks are all still pretty traumatized too. The other day a helicopter flew overhead and it turned into chicken mayhem here for a few minutes they were so scared.
Sometimes we do all we can do, as you said, you had every precaution going for your chickens, and still...... I've heard it's a bad time of year, migration and all that, and until now, owning chickens, I never had heard of hawk migration. I've always lived in fear of hawks diving on my chihuahuas, and stay close by them and alert when outside with them (always leashed)..... but, yes, chickens....there is only so much you can do if you let them out. I've taken to pacing back and forth in the fenced area with my chicks when I let them out for 15 mins or 2 hours, with a rake over my head, occasionally shaking it at the sky just in case that darn thing is watching me! And I wouldn't hesitate to use it if I had too, either, to protect my chickies.
Again, I wish you well with all the rest of your chickens, and I know you will miss Dumplin' for some time to come. Fond memories.
