Patinas
Songster
Unfortunately, one of my hens was killed the other day and all that was visible was a pile of feathers. No body parts or even signs of blood.
In the week before this happened there has been a huge hawk hanging around the yard and circling low about 2-3 times a day. So while the hens were out ranging, either I or our dog was always out with them to keep an eye out.
The day of the chicken kill, I was out of town so DH let the hens out but then he went to a function he had planned and was gone for about 4 hours. When he returned he saw the pile of feathers and I'm down one hen.
I am assuming it was the hawk that's been lurking but on the other hand, I have a hard time believing a hawk could carry off an 8-9 lb chicken in one piece. The hen killed was one of the largest in my flock. I think an eagle would have no problem carrying off a chicken but a hawk?
In the two years I've lived here, I've seen a raccoon and a couple possums but no coyotes, foxes, weasels, skunks, etc. We do have lots of hawks and eagles but they tend to stay in the lower elevations in the agriculture valley below. On occasion we've had random dogs in the yard that have gotten loose.
So anyone know if a hawk can completely carry off such a large chicken? We've looked everywhere and cannot find a carcass, just feathers.
In the week before this happened there has been a huge hawk hanging around the yard and circling low about 2-3 times a day. So while the hens were out ranging, either I or our dog was always out with them to keep an eye out.
The day of the chicken kill, I was out of town so DH let the hens out but then he went to a function he had planned and was gone for about 4 hours. When he returned he saw the pile of feathers and I'm down one hen.
I am assuming it was the hawk that's been lurking but on the other hand, I have a hard time believing a hawk could carry off an 8-9 lb chicken in one piece. The hen killed was one of the largest in my flock. I think an eagle would have no problem carrying off a chicken but a hawk?
In the two years I've lived here, I've seen a raccoon and a couple possums but no coyotes, foxes, weasels, skunks, etc. We do have lots of hawks and eagles but they tend to stay in the lower elevations in the agriculture valley below. On occasion we've had random dogs in the yard that have gotten loose.
So anyone know if a hawk can completely carry off such a large chicken? We've looked everywhere and cannot find a carcass, just feathers.