killing chickens

[rick savage]

something is killing my chickens at night, they roost in the trees right beside my dog kennels. all i find is lots of feathers, any ideas?

[skeet]

The most likely culprit is an owl....possibly a hawk early morning before they leave the roost. Hate to say this but if it is an owl..if you don't kill the owl or put the chickens up..well..they'll all be gone soon. Owls are very efficient killers. Do y'all have horned owls there? If you do, I would say that is what it is. They are big enough to carry a chicken off. Remember shoot it and shut it(your mouth). I know, I know y'all but we have way too many owls and hawks around here. Getting that way everywhere. And they are depredating on the livestock and they aren't endangered.

[OKTrap]

The problems we always had were chicken hawks.

[Gotcha!]

Originally posted by skeet
The most likely culprit is an owl....possibly a hawk early morning before they leave the roost. Hate to say this but if it is an owl..if you don't kill the owl or put the chickens up..well..they'll all be gone soon. Owls are very efficient killers. Do y'all have horned owls there? If you do, I would say that is what it is. They are big enough to carry a chicken off. Remember shoot it and shut it(your mouth). I know, I know y'all but we have way too many owls and hawks around here. Getting that way everywhere. And they are depredating on the livestock and they aren't endangered.

That's just great! A MODERATOR on this site recommending violation of Federal Law!

Rick - Might be coons too.