Hawk or Flock Killing

[GreenHaven]

I found one of my hens dead. She was mostly eaten, and some bones (leg bones) almost stripped clean. I thought hawk, at first, but this hen had just been reintegrated into the flock a couple days ago after being separated while brooding her chicks, so it’s a bit suspicious. I know a flock can turn on a hen, and that cannibalism occurs, but would a flock be able to pick a carcass clean? Their beaks are not designed to tear. So I was just wondering if anyone could provide clarity on that. I did not see the flock in the vicinity of the body - but I had been out of town and the death might have taken place the previous day. I found it mid morning. Thanks for any clarity on this.

 

[Squawkers]

I found one of my hens dead. She was mostly eaten, and some bones (leg bones) almost stripped clean. I thought hawk, at first, but this hen had just been reintegrated into the flock a couple days ago after being separated while brooding her chicks, so it’s a bit suspicious. I know a flock can turn on a hen, and that cannibalism occurs, but would a flock be able to pick a carcass clean? Their beaks are not designed to tear. So I was just wondering if anyone could provide clarity on that. I did not see the flock in the vicinity of the body - but I had been out of town and the death might have taken place the previous day. I found it mid morning. Thanks for any clarity on this.

I don’t know about what got her, but I definitely know chickens can pick a carcass clean.

 

[Dreamers Nook]

As Sqawkers said, I just found out that chickens can be predatory, as I had 1 juvenile broiler killed and almost pecked clean, I interrupted them. And this was 3 hours, after letting them out, even.
I noticed some small sores, I thought mice were causing it, as they don't roost, and are slow, almost naked and a bit dumb.
I've never had issues in the past, but mice this year are bad. I'm using mint oil and cab fresh and it's helping. There's not much places to hide.
So it stumped me, being wounds are naked spots on thigh near butt, and round. I hadn't seen any actual pecking either and I associate with my flock regularly throughout the day. Well, I found out. And immediately removed the rest. Now the ones with sores are healing, and they aren't stressed anymore.

 

[GreenHaven]

I don’t know about what got her, but I definitely know chickens can pick a carcass clean.

Wow - well i guess I’ll never know if my little dinosaurs did it.

 

[Squawkers]

Wow - well i guess I’ll never know if my little dinosaurs did it.

Hope not!

 

[GreenHaven]

Me too!

 

[PimsGarden]

Oooo that's tough, the flock have abnormal poops after that? That might be a way to find out, I can't think of another way that would be obvious to tell if it was chickens and not a hawk.

 

[GreenHaven]

Oooo that's tough, the flock have abnormal poops after that? That might be a way to find out, I can't think of another way that would be obvious to tell if it was chickens and not a hawk.

That’s a great idea. I’ll look at that!

 

[Chicken_tiger_catt]

As Sqawkers said, I just found out that chickens can be predatory, as I had 1 juvenile broiler killed and almost pecked clean, I interrupted them. And this was 3 hours, after letting them out, even.
I noticed some small sores, I thought mice were causing it, as they don't roost, and are slow, almost naked and a bit dumb.
I've never had issues in the past, but mice this year are bad. I'm using mint oil and cab fresh and it's helping. There's not much places to hide.
So it stumped me, being wounds are naked spots on thigh near butt, and round. I hadn't seen any actual pecking either and I associate with my flock regularly throughout the day. Well, I found out. And immediately removed the rest. Now the ones with sores are healing, and they aren't stressed anymore.

yeah. same thing happened back in 2019- 2020 ish, when I had my first flock, and stupidly housed them together.
the meat birds accidentally drowned the bantam when they crowded around the waterer, and I had some absolutely vicious hatchery quality RIR, who started actively trying to eat the broilers. the RIR are also suspected of killing my Americana.

 

[GreenHaven]

yeah. same thing happened back in 2019- 2020 ish, when I had my first flock, and stupidly housed them together.
the meat birds accidentally drowned the bantam when they crowded around the waterer, and I had some absolutely vicious hatchery quality RIR, who started actively trying to eat the broilers. the RIR are also suspected of killing my Americana.

Yikes! That must've been pretty awful. This flock has been relatively gentle on each other. I have one bird that's "wry neck" and they have been fine with her - she's not even bottom of the pecking order. I had a hen seriously injured by a hawk - gaping wound and in shock. They didn't harm her further - I didn't see the attack so she was there for a while. So I want to think they didn't do it.