We had some sort of attack today. I ventured out for a few hours of work (10-2) and when I came home I went out to see the girls. Shirley, the Golden Comet, was missing a whole patch of feathers from her back. They were blowing all around the yard, with one big clump in one place. I checked her over and couldn't see any scratches or cuts or anything. Agatha and Rhonda were hiding, and the others were huddled under a table in the corner.
We're sort of at a loss to figure out what happened. They were outside, free-ranging, so it couldn't have been a boredom issue. They've all been getting along fine - no pecking of any sort. The only thing we can figure is that it may have been an unsuccessful hawk attack - grabbed by the feathers instead of the skin? I thought maybe she got caught under something and pulled the feathers out trying to get free, but that wouldn't account for the others' panic.
Very disturbing. Bobby's very upset that something attacked his girls!
On a happier note, Wanda laid another monster egg. Just as big as her last ostrich egg. Ouch.
