It finally happened

[crazy4ChickensNducks]

I have not had any predator problems in over a year, so I new my time was coming.
I walked out to the coop and started noticing a few feathers. Then I saw tons of feathers all over, And I thought to myself oh no. I turned the corner and found the massacred body which I though was one of my isa browns, but upon later inspection it turned out to be my Buff orpington hen which was going to be one of this years breeders. Now, Normally I just dispose of the body and go on with life because thats just what happens, But this time it was different because she was my only buff orp, and I was going to breed her to my Buff orp rooster. But life still goes on. That just means I can Get More chicks this year. But I don't know what killed her, I think it was a hawk or owl because I did not see any tracks. What do you guys think?
**WARNING GRAPHIC IMAGE**

 

[Kessel23]

It was probably not an owl. They don't have crops like other raptors and they can not eat that much meat at once. Did you see any wing prints?

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

Looks like a hawk to me. No tracks, just a mangled body. I’d rule out the owl too.

 

[moniquem]

 

[centrarchid]

Not enough evidence to convict anyone. Fox or Coyote not likely since carcass left in place. More effort needed for tracks. Picture quality not good enough to see details of interest.

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

What a devastating loss! I am so sorry! Bear hugs!

 

[crazy4ChickensNducks]

I’m thinking it was a hawk, tho normally the red tails don’t eat that much of the Carcass. The bird was killed right at the pop door opening so I’m thinking the bird was sitting on the roof of the barn or coop. Sorry about the picture quality, it was really windy and i ran in the house and I grabbed the first thing I saw which was an iPod

 

[crazy4ChickensNducks]

Also, there were no tracks because of the blowing snow but I did see some marks in the snow next to her that looked like there was a scuffle

 

[Trux]

How close to the big lake are you? ever see an osprey or eagle around??

 

[crazy4ChickensNducks]

We have osprey in hudsonville but not too close to us.
We have seen a Golden Eagle before. On any given day I see about 5 red tailed hawks a day