Cozpip Posted September 28, 2011 Share Posted September 28, 2011 I'm really shocked as I've just gone out to the garden to see what all the noise was about and my chicken has attacked and virtually killed a bird - there's feathers everywhere. Is this usual? I didn't think they were predatory birds so I'm really shocked. She's currently locked in her run and the other two chicks are hiding in the corner of the garden too scared to go near her! Any ideas as to what i should do, or why she may have done this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted September 28, 2011 Share Posted September 28, 2011 Unfortunately that is quite common and young birds, frogs, mice and baby rats are often killed and even eaten by chickens One thing I would do is clean any blood off the hen as that will cause the others to peck at her maybe injuring her Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sootydog111 Posted September 28, 2011 Share Posted September 28, 2011 chickens will eat enything they can get including what redwing has said they may also eat grass snakes (internet sourced) so birds wont be that diffrent but i have to wonder how it caught the bird Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FosPet Posted September 28, 2011 Share Posted September 28, 2011 I caught mine pulling a baby bird apart in the spring, I couldn't get it off them before they managed to rip it apart and scoff it. Made me feel a bit sick really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 Yes this is quite normal. my girls have caught and eaten baby birds and mice. All good supplementary protein Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egghead68 Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 I would just be alert for any signs she has picked up an infection from the bird. It may have been easy for her to catch because it was sick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majuka Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 Our girls tolerate the smaller garden birds but woe betide any pigeon that dares land - one will chase it towards another and then another and the poor pigeon cannot take off because it is being mobbed by the girls. Particularly Bertie will march across, fluff up her feathers and flap her wings as if to say 'what do you think you are doing in my garden?' She has such an angry little face, bless her Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan08 Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 Ours have tried to chase off a Heron Fortunatly they where in the run and couldn't get near it. I think the Heron may have won. They do eat frogs, ours don't bother so much with the other birds that visit. Just wish they would go for the slugs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chookingham Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 my girls regularly hoover up the dead mice the cat leaves in the garden. I think it is what is called a symbiotic relationship - as you cans ee from my avatart, they are quite happy to let him drink from their water I saw a sparrow trapped in the run with them the other day that must have gone in while the door was open. I think it must have escaped because there were no signs of carnage when I let them out later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
