Help identify attacker

[Lauryn229]

Can you help me with a possible predator identification? I have no idea what got my brown leghorn. I saw her run across the yard and feathers hanging then found a pile of feathers in the area she ran from. She has a two inch laceration and about 1/2 inch deep. No other injuries. At the vet now getting stitches.

 

[coach723]

If it happened during the day, then a hawk could be the culprit. Maybe a young one that is still learning to hunt and not very good yet. Lucky bird. If you have a game camera, I would see if you can catch pictures of anything that comes back.
If it was a hawk, it will probably be back.
I currently have 50 lb braided fishing line strung all over one corner of my chicken area like a spider web, attached to the top of the fencing, with holographic bird tape hanging off that to discourage a couple of very large hawks that live nearby (lost 3 birds in the last 6 months). So far that has helped.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Sounds like a hawk to me as well. I caught one right as it went for one of my hens. I scared it just before it could get a claw in but it took some feathers right off her back. She was fine and I have no idea why my presence had any effect. I didn’t see it before hand-just the sound of my opening the back door scared it so it zipped back up into the sky.

 

[Lauryn229]

If it happened during the day, then a hawk could be the culprit. Maybe a young one that is still learning to hunt and not very good yet. Lucky bird. If you have a game camera, I would see if you can catch pictures of anything that comes back.
If it was a hawk, it will probably be back.
I currently have 50 lb braided fishing line strung all over one corner of my chicken area like a spider web, attached to the top of the fencing, with holographic bird tape hanging off that to discourage a couple of very large hawks that live nearby (lost 3 birds in the last 6 months). So far that has helped.

Thank you so much! That is my guess as well as the vet at this point. Really appreciate it we will be trying some new deterrents!

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I love hawks. They’re so beautiful. Even if it were legal to shoot them I wouldn’t but it would be nice if they didn’t think I was running a Chik-fil-a. So far we have been lucky but it’s just a matter of time I’m sure