Post by racaille on Oct 14, 2013 10:01:14 GMT
We have an immense buzzard around here that the locals call Bruce. And a day or two ago I drove around the corner of my track and there he was, feasting on my poor pure white chicken. He flapped off lazily, in no hurry to abandon his banquet. Poor chook, innards everywhere and there was an egg in her tract too .....
But the oddest thing was that I noticed (when I could round them up later) that my Light Sussex hens were splashed with blood. Now I know that hens will happily tuck into a fallen comrade but these were clear splashes on their backs, not feeding marks and they were unharmed themselves. Then Kremlin, my lovely big thingyerel, finally limped home and it seems clear that he and the buzzard had a bit of a battle. His comb was badly torn and has was pretty beaten up. Poor lamb, he must have tried to protect his wife. It is the only explanation and I've seen this before when my bantam thingy tried to fight off a fox that had got into the henhouse and was leaving with a hen in its chops (I saw it all). On that occasion the fox dropped the hen and after a swift battle, made off with the thingy.
But three days later, there was a feeble tap at my kitchen window and there he was, battered but alive
But the oddest thing was that I noticed (when I could round them up later) that my Light Sussex hens were splashed with blood. Now I know that hens will happily tuck into a fallen comrade but these were clear splashes on their backs, not feeding marks and they were unharmed themselves. Then Kremlin, my lovely big thingyerel, finally limped home and it seems clear that he and the buzzard had a bit of a battle. His comb was badly torn and has was pretty beaten up. Poor lamb, he must have tried to protect his wife. It is the only explanation and I've seen this before when my bantam thingy tried to fight off a fox that had got into the henhouse and was leaving with a hen in its chops (I saw it all). On that occasion the fox dropped the hen and after a swift battle, made off with the thingy.
But three days later, there was a feeble tap at my kitchen window and there he was, battered but alive
for so much hard work we thank ye!!
