Hen attacked by owl

[Lindseyfj]

Your hen was lucky then.
And that was one bold owl.
Screech owls are small, a bigger owl would have carried her off.
I’ve lost several chickens in the beginning to different predators.
The surviving chicken learned, and taught the offspring. As result, I haven’t lost any in a very long time.
(I don’t mind so much loosing a chicken here or there to a wild animal = circle of life. What got/gets me, is roaming pets breaking into my pen/coop and killing every single bird, just for the heck of it. Which has happened to me twice!)

We’ve always had owls around here, and I noticed a couple of them hanging around their area they run in lately. I always lock up my hens before dark. But last night I was later than usual. My mistake, but lesson learned. I just hope she survives any trauma or injury she may have. Might sound crazy but I enjoy seeing her green eggs she lays for me!!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I wasn’t able to examine her that well after it happened as it was dark and I had a flashlight. I was able to look on her underside and under her wings looking for any puncture wounds. I keep a water mister on for the hens during the day, I noticed she was under the misters seemingly enjoying it. Although she kind of still hung around with her eyes closed. I would like to check her again for wounds, I’m hoping she’s better tomorrow.

How is she doing today?
Even if she appears to be better, I would still examine her closely.

 

[Shadrach]

I hate to be pessimistic but in my experience most of the chickens that get attacked by owls and hawks suffer internal injuries.

 

[VerrücktesHuhn]

We’ve always had owls around here, and I noticed a couple of them hanging around their area they run in lately. I always lock up my hens before dark. But last night I was later than usual. My mistake, but lesson learned. I just hope she survives any trauma or injury she may have. Might sound crazy but I enjoy seeing her green eggs she lays for me!!

Sending feathery healing thoughts your hens way.
Hope she’ll be ok!

 

[VerrücktesHuhn]

Chicken are pretty tough.
I had one chicken, which got attacked by a neighbor’s jack russel, and the dog almost skinned her alive.
The skin was pulled back from her neck all the way down her back.
I cleaned it, pulled it back, and secured the skin with some ductape (no kidding - that’s all I had at that time)
And she recovered!
I was amazed.
You can’t even tell anymore.
The ductape eventually fell off with the feathers she molted out.
So don’t give up on your girl.

 

[AHPFblack star]

Do you live in the in the east or the west

 

[AHPFblack star]

The western screech owl does not screech but the eastern screeches.

 

[MissChick@dee]

Hummm I’m no expert but I’m guessing it was a
HUNGY owl. praying for her.

 

[Lindseyfj]

How is she doing today?
Even if she appears to be better, I would still examine her closely.

She seems to be doing better. I threw some corn out to the hens and she was pecking at it. Still keeping my fingers crossed that she’s going to be ok.

 

[Lindseyfj]

Chicken are pretty tough.
I had one chicken, which got attacked by a neighbor’s jack russel, and the dog almost skinned her alive.
The skin was pulled back from her neck all the way down her back.
I cleaned it, pulled it back, and secured the skin with some ductape (no kidding - that’s all I had at that time)
And she recovered!
I was amazed.
You can’t even tell anymore.
The ductape eventually fell off with the feathers she molted out.
So don’t give up on your girl.

Wow your chicken went through a lot!!!! She seems to be doing better today. Acting more like a chicken.