Holy o Hawk!!

[Starkasm]

My guineas were yelling, I didn't think anything of it because it's raining out. The guineas yell like acid is falling when it rains!
Then hear Ringo yelling - one of our roosters...well he yells every time a chicken lays an egg.
But with both yelling I thought maybe I should see what's up.
I walk out the door and not 10 feet away is a hawk, one wing outstretched, looking a little spent, trying to drag my barred rock hen across the front yard!!!!!!
I ran and it let go when I was about 2 feet from it. Talk about surreal! It took my mind a second to grasp it. Big gray wing and my mind says Muscovy duck...then I see the barred rock and realize it has a hold of it! Then I realize What it is!!!
Haybird, the barred rock is missing a lot of back feathers and head feathers at the back near her comb, she has two puncture wounds but I think she's going to be okay. Good thing she's a fatty!
My Belgian Tervuren is usually out there during the day but it was raining...Never expected to have it grab someone in the front yard! We have huge pine trees so not the ideal place to swoop in. Just wow!

 

[appps]

wow, think you need to rename that chicken Lucky!!

 

[Granny Hatchet]

omg! this is crazy. i also saw a hawk going for my guineas this morn! they were raising cain and i thought it was because of new chickens in the pole barn but i was going out anyway so as im walking i see the hawk take back to the trees but nothing dramatic like what happened to you. it was after the younger guineas i guess.about half grown. they were the only ones frozen in place.

 

[Starkasm]

She sure is lucky!
Still has to be the weirdest thing I've ever seen. We have them fly over and everyone runs for cover. They know. I even saw one sitting in a big pine tree out back once, but never anything like this!

 

[Granny Hatchet]

be careful, i would think that since it got a taste of blood it will be back for more. hope not how is the hen now?

 

[Starkasm]

be careful, i would think that since it got a taste of blood it will be back for more. hope not how is the hen now?

Good morning Granny

great.....My mom thinks it was migrating so I'm hoping it moves on and forgets all about us on the way back, this spring!
The hen's doing okay. I brought her in the house and handed her to my daughter before going back out and putting everyone to bed early. She stayed in my house all night. I'll keep her in a few days and let my daughter spoil her. She's been giving her ground chick food and meal worms instead of her normal pellets so she's getting the royal treatment. Still seems so bizarre!
My Belgian Tervuren is already outside, this morning. If I hadn't had her in because of the rain, this probably wouldn't have happened!

 

[Michael Apple]

I think a covered yard is important. I also know free ranging on pasture is always a risk unless you are willing to stand out there with them. I wouldn't instruct someone to do away with an endangered species, but when it comes to protecting our animals, we should do what is necessary.

 

[Starkasm]

I think a covered yard is important. I also know free ranging on pasture is always a risk unless you are willing to stand out there with them. I wouldn't instruct someone to do away with an endangered species, but when it comes to protecting our animals, we should do what is necessary.

We have deer netting over all our pens, but we do have some free range hens. The oddest thing is we have huge Pine trees all around us. Not the easiest place to swoop down. I'm guessing desperation coupled with opportunity made it go after the chicken right in the front yard! That and the lack of my dog outside. She's out there now!

 

[Michael Apple]

We have deer netting over all our pens, but we do have some free range hens. The oddest thing is we have huge Pine trees all around us. Not the easiest place to swoop down. I'm guessing desperation coupled with opportunity made it go after the chicken right in the front yard! That and the lack of my dog outside. She's out there now!

A hungry predator will always find a way to survive.

 

[zazouse]

yep