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Thursday, January 30, 2014

Let's play the Homestead Edition of Clue...

I came home last night, changed to barn boots and headed out to the chicken coop with Scrappy in tow - as usual.  As I scanned the white expanse, my head lamp picked up an image that should not have been there - a dark blot on the landscape.  It was one of my banty hens - dead as a doornail, belly up, feet pointing to the sky.  Crap.  I looked around as best I could in the dark and then eased her out of the snow.  Her back was shredded.  I placed her out of Scrappy's reach and went into the coop.  In the corner, under the lamp and behind the waterer/heater was evidence of a vicious struggle - her little feathers everywhere.  I did a quick head count and everyone else seemed there and intact.  Since it was too dark to tell what had happened, I placed the hen in an empty bin for examination during daylight hours.  It was a sad thing.

Had the roosters gotten in a fight and she was in the wrong place at the wrong time?  Had something gotten into the coop and attacked just her?

This morning I went out to investigate.  Quickly, because it was still below zero.  What I found was evidence of another strike - black feathers this time.  I followed the feathers to one of the chicken structures and....

It was MURDER in the POULTRY YARD with TALONS and BEAK by MR. HAWK.

Fortunately for me, and unfortunately for Mr. Hawk, he did not follow the advice of master criminal minds.  Never, EVER, revisit the scene of your crime.

Mr. Hawk was in the A-frame, snacking on Victim #2, one of my Ameracauna pullets.   Let's just say I will make it my business that this is his last free meal...

12 comments:

wvhiker said...

Wow, maybe you should do some sideline writing. That was pretty good!

Susan said...

WVH - Thank you! This blog is my creative outlet for sure. Thanks for the comment!

Mama Pea said...

Take THAT, Mr. Hawk! What else could you have done? Methinks he thought he'd found the cafeteria of his dreams.

Fiona said...

I have to say it...."Murder Most Fowl....she wrote!"

I am so sorry for that..cold weather and a cold has made me semi delirious...well thats my story!
It is so sad about your banty and the hen. It is thehard part about livestock isn't it.

Take care and do keep warm!

Candy C. said...

Oh NO!! Fiona's "Murder Most Fowl" was really good!

The Maine Gray Zone said...

The other day I was driving down my street and a huge hawk, with a poor struggling squirrel in his mouth, flew right in front of me......right here in the city.

Carolyn said...

I love hawks.....as long as they aren't snacking on my biddies. Once that happens, I'm all gangsta on them. Sorry to hear about your hens :(

Michelle said...

The hawk was actually IN one of your chicken structures?!? Incredible! Yeah, I'm afraid a bird that bold had to be . . . what's a good B-word? Bludgeoned? (eeeew)

Kelly said...

Hawks are the most beautiful birds that I've ever HATED! You go girl!!!!!!

Janice Grinyer said...

dun dun dun dun....but actually, how did he get in the enclosed cage? do you have a topper on top? Dang - they have advanced - they can use tools now?

Sandy Livesay said...

Susan,

I'm so glad you solved and took care of the problem. But sorry to hear two of your chickens were targeted. Keep an eye out for other visitors, they have to be hungry because of the cold.

Unknown said...

So sorry for you loss of birds. I love hawks, and there are some in the area, but no casualties so far on my end... sad...