Not sure how, but

[BackStreetRoo]

I’m not sure how this happened but I found this in my silkies chicken coop today. No silkies were injured. The predator was just laying exactly like this cold and dead. I highly doubt the silkies killed it And I’m assuming it killed itself, but luckily none got injured.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

It could have gotten caught in the netting. I found a hawk trapped between my run and fence once, panicking and with it’s wings at odd angles. I am sure if I hadn’t freed it it would have died.

 

[LoveMyPeepers]

This happened to a friend once. We found that a hawk had gotten through the netting somehow and must have killed a chicken but the hawk was also dead. It might have just gotten stuck and was left there for too long?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Got in, couldn't get out, panicked, killed itself trying to escape?

 

[BackStreetRoo]

Got in, couldn't get out, panicked, killed itself trying to escape?

Most likely

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Surprisingly small, do you know what it is?

 

[BackStreetRoo]

Surprisingly small, do you know what it is?

99% sure it’s a Cooper’s hawk. They’re much smaller than red tailed. The feathers on the tail and belly match coopers

 

[McChooky]

You probably won't find any marks on it .lt probably panicked after realizing it was trapped and had a heart attack.I accidentally locked myself inside a new run one time so I know how the poor thing felt. Glad it didn't get any of your chickens! Lucky you!

 

[StinkyAcres]

Poor hawk, but I'm glad your chickens are safe.

I've warned about this in other threads - bird/garden netting kills wildlife, especially when it's not pulled very tight. And if it kills wild birds I am sure it can kill chickens in the same way (maybe not flightless chickens like your silkies).