What got my chicken?

[wberry85]

Found one of my hens still alive out in the road in front of my house. She was blind (I could not tell but it looked like she had no eyes left) and there was a large hole in her chest about 5-6 in in diameter and tissue had been picked at/eaten. I was outside for a long time and all of a sudden I just saw her flapping and screaming in the road.

I suspect a hawk, but any other ideas? Need to know what kind of shot to load in the 20 guage!

 

[so lucky]

I suppose a hawk or owl might start with the eyes. Wouldn't think a mammal would eat the eyes first...I am very sorry and distressed by your loss. I hope you put the poor girl out of her misery if she didn't die immediately. How horrible! Maybe someone else has some ideas.

 

[Agdketo]

Probably a red tailed hawk, commonly called chicken hawks. Check your state laws before you shoot any hawks. They're all protected anyways.

 

[Cockadoodledon't]

Probably a hawk.
Most likely when the hawk grabbed the bird it was by the head and the talons got the eyes.
I would suggest number 4 or number 5 shot for the 20 gauge. Remember to lead the hawk a bit... )


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[chickened]

12 guage full choke #4 works great.
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[Ole rooster]

Nothing on my place is protected when they're trying to kill my chickens. That is except my chickens. I see to that. My dog just got another possum this morning. He wasn't protected either.

 

[mrpekinduck]

Red tailed hawk is my guess and sorry about your hen.

 

[mandelyn]

Likely a hawk. Remember that shooting them without a permit can carry a jail sentence and a hefty fine.