Owl!

[Bill A]

Last night at dusk, shortly after the chickens had been safely closed in for the night, I walked down to a lightly wooded area near a small creek on our property. Behind this creek is a large woods. I had heard the unmistakable hoot of an owl a little earlier, and I had my binoculars. High in a dead ash tree was a great horned owl, with his attention intensely focused on my chicken coop. He didn't notice me until I moved, and then flew away. If you haven't seen one, they are big. At any rate, at dusk be aware of these critters, which will take all manner of prey, including chickens. I also hear screech owls now and then, and although smaller, I wouldn't trust them either.

Bill

 

[chicmom]

Spectacular to see though, wasn't it Bill? My dad rescued a Great Horned Owl from a leg trap once when he was a young man working for a gas company. He had to throw his coat on it to cover it, then remove the trap. The owl flew away.

They are beautiful, but you're right, deadly.....