last night an owl got my flock

I think an owl got one of our pullets last night around 9pm.  We were inside and my neighbor called from outside saying our chickens were raising cain.  We ran outside immediately, but all was quiet.  Checked all the coops, and low and behold a pullet which I had pulled from her flock and put in a circle fence was missing.  I pulled her out because the flock was picking on her, and had ripped her comb.  She was in a corner scared.  I figured when I closed the doors on the coops, I would put her back in the coop on the roost.  That would hopefully give the flock a chance to settle down and leave her alone. The screen that was on top of the fence had a piece ripped off. We looked for probably a hour+  for her. We all heard an owl hooting VERY close as we were looking for her.  It is common to hear them, just not that close.  Hoping she turns up today, but not counting on it.  Otherwise we will search the woods behind us for feathers.


I screen had to be ripped to access birds, then likely not owl.
 
Update on our owl issue......We searched our property and the neighbor's property. No feathers and no sign of our missing pullet. We have heard the hoot owl the past 2 nights, but like I stated earlier, that is common to hear it nightly. We found where it looks like the little black pullet may have knocked the screen over just enough for the owl to come down and make a clean scoop. Last night we were scrambling to get the chickens up early &/or to scare the owl away because the owl started hooting at 6pm!! We are keeping a close eye on them so as not to loose anymore. And I will not put anymore into the circle fence until the top cover is more secure. Learning all the time! Sometimes we learn the hard way though.
 
in the U.S its illeagal ( idk how to spell dat ;-; ) to kill owls......... :(
barnie.gif
 
in the U.S its illeagal ( idk how to spell dat ;-; ) to kill owls......... :(
barnie.gif

Yes. And here in Ohio, (idk about other areas) it is illegal also to kill hawks. Its our job to keep our chickens safe. We had issues last year with hawks. They are ruthless and will snatch up a small chicken right in front of your eyes. My DH had a farmer one time suggest that we put fishing line across the top of the coop area with small flags tied to it, claiming it deters owls & hawks. The farmer said he has done it as long as he can remember. Has anyone tried this? Some of our chickens fly out daily before we get back there to let them out, so we won't be using the fishing line. Seems dangerous to my chickens. I am not suggesting anyone use this method, just wondering if anyone does...
 

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