What predator killed my Silver Spangled Hamburg? May include gruesome pics.

[PolkaDot77]

Agreed, probably a hawk.

 

[sourland]

Your hen was probably heading for the protection of the pine tree when very likely a Coopers hawk hit her. I've seen them crash into a multiflora rose bush after birds. Can you pen your chickens up for a couple of days? Now that the hawk has found a buffet, it most likely will return.

 

[mg15]

Oh my how awful.
Can I ask does she still have her head. ?
I didn't see it, but it might be in her feathers.
I am sorry.

 

[Suzierd]

Agree Hawk, I watched one go right into thick Doug fir branches and grab a bird.

 

[MistyMountain]

Oh my how awful.
Can I ask does she still have her head. ?
I didn't see it, but it might be in her feathers.
I am sorry.

Yes, her head was behind one of her wings, unharmed.

 

[MistyMountain]

Thank you all for your input. Yes, they have been locked up ever since. Not complaining too much yet since they are getting some Christmas leftovers. For those of you familiar with hawk kills, do you think this bird was targeted because of it's size and color? Do I need to worry as much about my heavier breeds, NH, EE?

 

[Hopperkiller]

My wife caught a hawk going under a 12 foot bush and walked in to chased our chickens. He then ran under a large length of bushes to escape her. He then walked out and flew up to the coop. He had been chasing the girls who were running through the undergrowth. Their squawking brought her out. The hawk hung around for two days. Kept the chickens in the run for those days.

 

[sandovaljose214]

Probably It was a hawk . If It was you should get some guinea fowl

 

[MistyMountain]

Probably It was a hawk . If It was you should get some guinea fowl

That is my spring time plan!!

 

[MistyMountain]

We kept them locked up and let them out again today. My husband spent most of the day outside. He happened to be inside for a bit and looked out to see another hawk swoop down. We ran out and all the girls were huddled down in thick brush and silent. The slw roo and remaining two ssh were missing. I went in the coop to see one ssh with the roo standing guard at the door. I called the girls out of hiding and found the other ssh huddled down in the leaves. I went back to the coop to see if the ssh in the coop had moved from her place in the corner. She had not, even though the rest of the flock had joined her. Something was wrong. I asked my husband to grab her to see if she is ok. She had been hit. Small puncture in her abdomen, and large wound on her head. One eye is quite swollen. I treated her wounds and she is in the basement near the woodstove for warmth. I don't know if she ate or drank her electrolite water, but it appears the shock has worn off. She talked to me a little. Hope she pulls through. Tomorrow is rainy, so they will stay inside. I bought netting, coop and temporary run gets covered before they can go out again. It won't be all predator proof, so they will still be locked up at night when the majority of the meanies come out. Thank you all for your input!