Should I not expect to see a pile of feathers?

[kengland]

We lost an 8 week old pullet yesterday. We have hawks, eagles, and coyotes. I would have have expected to see at least a minimal amount of feathers after being taken by a raptor and more so with a coyote. There was nothing. The other 8 pullets (also 8 weeks old) really didn't show any stress related to a violent episode. I will say they are all free range and do spread out, so there is a remote possibility that the other birds didn't see it. That is remote though. They are more often together (spread out but together).

Would you expect to see a sign like feathers, blood, or anything? Thanks

 

[Egghead_Jr]

A hawk can carry away an 8 week bird. I wouldn't expect much feather loss as it's not much effort for the hawk. A larger bird would require effort to kill thus feather loss. Same goes for any predator really. I've had a stray cat pounce and retreat under back shed area in blink of an eye and no feather loss on a 5 week chick out catching flying ants one sunny morning.

 

[kengland]

That's interesting. Would you not expect the other birds though to be a bit "shell shocked?" They seem to be going about their business as if nothing happened?

 

[MollyAngel]

We lost a BIG hen named Morgan without a trace. She was a big bird, the biggest in the flock. She disappeared with out a trace. We miss her so much. We think it was our neighbors dog. When we asked if they had seen a big black chicken, they slammed the door after saying no really fast. I'm going to shoot at their do with a bb gun.