The Dogmother Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 I am so sorry to hear that Freddie; sounds like a dog to me... a fox would kill them all and usually take the heads off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted March 20, 2013 Share Posted March 20, 2013 Sorry Does sound like a visiting dog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs_B Posted March 20, 2013 Share Posted March 20, 2013 Oh gosh, that's really awful Hope you and your others chickens are OK! Huge hugs! x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salop Chuck Posted March 20, 2013 Share Posted March 20, 2013 Hi freddie Just found your post - how awful to come home to find your poor hen killed in this way . Was it a bantam that was killed or a standard sized hen. From your description it might have been a female sparrowhawk. They suddenly swoop on their prey (a pigeon or other medium sized bird) turn it on its back, de-feather the chest area and start eating the flesh on the chest. It would explain why only one hen was taken and why it was left lying on its back with it's chest cavity exposed. I am sorry to explain it so graphically but even though sparrowhawks are magnificent birds I hate the way they eat their prey live. I have sparrowhawks in my area and witnessed their strikes and kills several times; it make me feel sick every time I see it. My 6 bantams recently witnessed a pigeon being killed by one and I found them all squashed together in the corner of the coop traumatized. Have you seen any sparrowhawks in your area. I have planted several bushes in my garden and my bantams have learnt to run and hide under them whenever a sparrowhawk appears close by but I am always conscious that one of mine might be taken one day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennydavies Posted March 28, 2013 Share Posted March 28, 2013 We have Eagles and Buzzards where we live and quite often we see evidence of this style of killing when we walk our dogs. Their choice of flesh eating is very specific, it sounds like a wild bird kill. Very sad that you had to witness it Freddie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
