Maybe an Owl Attack? *Warning: Graphic*

[Silkiesarefluffydinos]

It looks like a hawk. Hawks will pluck off most of the feathers in one area, thenceat the skib and insides. Owls take the head and neck off and leave the rest of the body. Poor bird! I'm sorry for your loss.

 

[britchick123]

Very interesting!! My dad has been going back and forth all day on what it could've been, so I'll be happy to give him your input. Do you have any advice on what to do with the others for now? They are all clearly shaken up and I wasn't sure if there's anything we could do. We bought some fishing line and will criss cross that above the pen. I read that that will help keep the other birds out. And the chicks get put away in the coop around 7pm or so.

 

[Sublight]

Very interesting!! My dad has been going back and forth all day on what it could've been, so I'll be happy to give him your input. Do you have any advice on what to do with the others for now? They are all clearly shaken up and I wasn't sure if there's anything we could do. We bought some fishing line and will criss cross that above the pen. I read that that will help keep the other birds out. And the chicks get put away in the coop around 7pm or so.

That's what we do. Problem is our chicks were raised by a silkie. I love our silkie, but I cant push the chickens. They are so tame, I have to pick each one up and set in the pen, or push them from the side. They wont run from me. Then it just runs back out and jumps up on my foot.

 

[4 Georgia Hens]

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

thank you!! View attachment 1186786

Oh my goodness! Your poor bird! I am so sorry for your loss! I wish you a good day!

 

[Silkiesarefluffydinos]

That's what we do. Problem is our chicks were raised by a silkie. I love our silkie, but I cant push the chickens. They are so tame, I have to pick each one up and set in the pen, or push them from the side. They wont run from me. Then it just runs back out and jumps up on my foot.

Aww! That's adorable!!!

Very interesting!! My dad has been going back and forth all day on what it could've been, so I'll be happy to give him your input. Do you have any advice on what to do with the others for now? They are all clearly shaken up and I wasn't sure if there's anything we could do. We bought some fishing line and will criss cross that above the pen. I read that that will help keep the other birds out. And the chicks get put away in the coop around 7pm or so.

Are they free range? Fishing line ovet the run is a good idea. The hawks normally can't fit their wingspan through the fishing line, and it encourages them to find something else to eat. If they are free range, I would leave them cooped for a few days, and they should calm down, and with the fishing line, should keep the Hawks away.

 

[britchick123]

That's what we do. Problem is our chicks were raised by a silkie. I love our silkie, but I cant push the chickens. They are so tame, I have to pick each one up and set in the pen, or push them from the side. They wont run from me. Then it just runs back out and jumps up on my foot.

aw! ya the chickens we have will RUN .. I guess when the attack happened, they all escaped because they all (mainly the rooster I'm assuming) pecked and pushed so hard at the gate until they were able to get out and run away.

I still can't get over how smart these birds are!!

 

[britchick123]

Oh my goodness! Your poor bird! I am so sorry for your loss! I wish you a good day!

thank you so much!! I felt so bad

 

[britchick123]

Aww! That's adorable!!!




Are they free range? Fishing line ovet the run is a good idea. The hawks normally can't fit their wingspan through the fishing line, and it encourages them to find something else to eat. If they are free range, I would leave them cooped for a few days, and they should calm down, and with the fishing line, should keep the Hawks away.

They have a coop & a small caged in area. Sometimes they'll be let out to wander the yard, not sure how often... but ill let him know to keep them in there. they aren't coming out of the coop anyways. i feel so bad they were so scared !

 

[Sublight]

aw! ya the chickens we have will RUN .. I guess when the attack happened, they all escaped because they all (mainly the rooster I'm assuming) pecked and pushed so hard at the gate until they were able to get out and run away.

I still can't get over how smart these birds are!!

A good rooster is hard to replace. Its saved my chickens a couple times.
I have to replace him cause he is a "manfighter" and he jumped on my 2.5 year old.
There will be a transition time when the young rooster will have to learn to protect his girls.
That will be a dangerous time for my flock.

 

[4 Georgia Hens]

thank you so much!! I felt so bad

I felt SO bad with just seeing that picture!