Maybe an Owl Attack? *Warning: Graphic*

[britchick123]

Hello!
I'm Brit and my dad has chickens. I have been coming on here for a long time to look up some of his questions about his chickens and have found some great info.

I believe that a Great Horned Owl attacked one of the chickens yesterday. I won't go into detail about that though.

My question is, since the attack the chickens are acting strange (rightfully so). We finally let them back out of the coop, but the rooster crowed and looked like he was seeing something off into the woods, and they all ran back in. The door is open, and they still won't come back out.

I understand they are probably scared and traumatized, but is there anything we can do?

Thank you!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Give them time.
I had a dog attack, none killed but all harassed and feathers pulled out.
The birds didn't come out of the coop for 2 days and I didn't get an egg for 2 months.
An owl can fly into a coop. Usually they hunt at night but I've seen Great Horned Owls hunting at 4 in the afternoon. Depends on how hungry they are.
What makes you think it was an owl?

 

[britchick123]

Hi, thank you for the info.

*warning: may be graphic but I'm trying to keep it PG*

We think it was an owl because whatever it was, had to of flown in. It was eating a full grown healthy chicken right in the pen. When my dad pulled up to the house, the creature had flown off. There is definitely an owl in this area, we hear him all the time. Although it very well could've been something else. I'm definitely open to hearing any input.

Thanks again!

 

[Silkiesarefluffydinos]

Can you post a picturreply if you can?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Hawks are the more common daytime predator.

 

[britchick123]

Can you post a picturreply if you can?

a picture of the chicken? yes i can if you're interested in seeing the damage.

 

[britchick123]

Hawks are the more common daytime predator.

yes we thought it could've been a hawk as well. We're not 100% sure about what creature was in there. We believe it was a type of
bird though.

Thanks for the reply!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Likely hawk, as I said, owls are primarily nocturnal hunters.

 

[Silkiesarefluffydinos]

a picture of the chicken? yes i can if you're interested in seeing the damage.

Okay!

And I we have lost chickens in the day time from an owl attack, so it is possible, although it probably is a hawk.

 

[britchick123]

Okay!

And I we have lost chickens in the day time from an owl attack, so it is possible, although it probably is a hawk.

if this pic isn't okay to be posted , please let me know!!! it is a bit graphic.

thank you!!