RIP Miranda (Fluffy Butt), Penguina and Brownie

[Misfit_Chick]

It was a very sad and disappointing day. I had my first attack. I know, I know it's the first of many. My second favorite hen was killed. She was my biggest and probably would of started laying eggs first. Such a sweet girl. Poor Brownie my stupid silkie rooster that I actually mentioned rehoming not an hour before the mayhem. Little Penguina is missing still. I'm guessing a hawk got her. Idk what happened. At first I thought my dog went crazy but she didn't have blood or feathers in her mouth.... She also didn't have the guilty pity face. When she was a puppy she caught a chipmunk and it died. But she felt really terrible about it when I showed it to her. That was 8yrs ago... Do hawks attack in groups? I see them fly in groups so I don't see why not.
Now I'm down to only 7 hens 2 roosters

Miranda and Penguina in the background.

 

[LaFleche]

That is indeed sad and I am sorry for your loss.

Whoever was responsible will be back for more and I strongly advise to keep your chickens in a secure run for at least 3 weeks to disencourage the predator.

 

[cmom]

So sorry for your loss. I agree. Now that the predator has killed it will be back. If you have a game camera, put it up and then you will know for sure what the predator is. Good luck...

 

[MGG]

I'm so sorry for your loss.
Definitely keep all of your birds locked up for several weeks like cmom said.
Is it just me or does anyone else think Miranda looked like a male?

 

[Misfit_Chick]

I'm so sorry for your loss.
Definitely keep all of your birds locked up for several weeks like cmom said.
Is it just me or does anyone else think Miranda looked like a male?

I'm pretty sure she's female. That was just an odd angle I guess. And figured out who did it. Took my dog out with me this afternoon. The roosters called to the hens and they all scattered into the bushes. Then she chased them! Luckily she stopped when I screamed at her!! I thought I unleashed another massacre. All this time she's been hanging out with them and yesterday I guess she finally got bored. Probably broke up my silki rooster trying to mate Miranda. And the silkie feathers just were to soft. She went after more. So disappointing. But now I know I don't have an outside predator stalking my birds. I just have to monitor Alice the backyard chicken slayer.

 

[Misfit_Chick]

This was Miranda's matching Rooster Shadow. He was all black as a chick.

He's a good rooster. I'm glad he made it!

 

[cmom]

How old is Miranda? Her feathers look like a male. You will know if she either lays an egg or starts crowing.

 

[cmom]

Many different breeds of chicks look very similar as chicks until they start getting their feathers in.

 

[MGG]

How old is Miranda? Her feathers look like a male. You will know if she either lays an egg or starts crowing.

She was a victim of the dog attack unfortunately.
I think she was male too.

 

[MGG]

View attachment 2294713I'm pretty sure she's female. That was just an odd angle I guess. And figured out who did it. Took my dog out with me this afternoon. The roosters called to the hens and they all scattered into the bushes. Then she chased them! Luckily she stopped when I screamed at her!! I thought I unleashed another massacre. All this time she's been hanging out with them and yesterday I guess she finally got bored. Probably broke up my silki rooster trying to mate Miranda. And the silkie feathers just were to soft. She went after more. So disappointing. But now I know I don't have an outside predator stalking my birds. I just have to monitor Alice the backyard chicken slayer.

The bird in that pic looks like a cockerel to me. The way those hackle and saddke feathers curve, and that shine, yeah, I think male. Awww. I'm sorry.