Sad Day

[Morganharper]

I lost my second girl last night to a mystery predator. I believe it to be either a hawk or an owl, but would like to know for sure if anyone has a clue. It has happened twice now in the middle of the day, and there is not much evidence other than maybe 2 or 3 feathers on the ground and a missing hen. I dont know what i can do to stop it from happening, as i cant sit outside all day and monitor them. Since the last incident any time the girls saw any kind of bird, even a crow, they would hide under the shrubs. I would like to try to do something to possibly keep it from happening again if anyone has any advice. <3

 

[Morrigan]

It sounds like a hawk to me. What is your set-up? Are they truly free-range or are they in a confined yard? If feasible, you can string netting up to protect them.

 

[TexasSam]

I lost my second girl last night to a mystery predator. I believe it to be either a hawk or an owl, but would like to know for sure if anyone has a clue. It has happened twice now in the middle of the day, and there is not much evidence other than maybe 2 or 3 feathers on the ground and a missing hen. I dont know what i can do to stop it from happening, as i cant sit outside all day and monitor them. Since the last incident any time the girls saw any kind of bird, even a crow, they would hide under the shrubs. I would like to try to do something to possibly keep it from happening again if anyone has any advice. <3

Was it at night or day your post kinda says both are they in a yard with a fence or in a pasture roaming around

 

[chickens really]

Sounds like a Fox too me..

 

[Mr Pink]

Pretty hard for a hawk to carry off a full grown chicken ... sounds more like a snatch and run ! Fox , dog or coyote maybe

 

[Pat Mcaffee]

Definitely not a hawk as they usually like to take the heads only and leave the carcass. Keep them inside and build a run with a top (I prefer netting). Free range is great but I would assume the birds would rather be confined w/in a smaller space than dead. Since it is a ground predator, I suggest setting a live trap or two and/or setting up a trail cam. If possible, put your girls away at night inside their coop; there is hardly any benefit to having them out.

 

[allosaurusrock]

Depending where you are, it could also be a larger bird of prey, like an eagle.

 

[Morrigan]

I guess it depends on the size the hawk and the chicken. I had a hawk carry off a juvenile bird. There was nothing left but a couple of drops of blood and a feather at the site where it was snatched. I found the hawk eating the chicken in a corner of the yard, so I know it was capable of picking up carrying the chicken at least some distance away.

But, I agree, it would take a very large hawk, or eagle, to carry away a full grown chicken.

 

[gimmie birdies]

I had 2 snagged recently, night, not through the wire, just birds that got left out. (they hide themselves outside at night, I have been doing head counts and using a flashlight now) one was just gone, but very small bird, lots of feathers. The other was a young hen ready to lay, feathers and no head. It had just snowed and there was not alot of prints, I did see some small prints in one sect. and a dent on top of wire fence that surrounds the coop. So I thought it was a raccoon.