Remudamom Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 and completely my fault. I forgot to shut the small door and apparently he walked right in and made himself at home. I almost wet myself this morning when I walked up there to feed. Amazingly there is only one pullet missing, and since I found no feathers, no blood, no mayhem, no nothing I'm hoping she ran out when he came in and I'll find her today. Everyone else in the coop is fine, and I had thirteen young birds in there. One of the broodies who was in a cage in there with her eggs has abandoned them, but that's about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magnificent_baby Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 I first read this as co-op. That would have made for an exciting class! :lol: What a cool picture! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Coast Mom Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 That is an amazing photo! I hope your birds are all safe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Country Mouse Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 :eek: <--- that would be me if I found an owl in our coop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvnlattes Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Wow, he looks fierce. I hope you find your missing bird and am glad all the others were o.k. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astrid Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 WOW! That's something you dont' see every day! Wonder what ran through those little chicken pea-brains when Mr. Owl strode in and hopped up on the perch? "Hello ladies....can I buy you a drink?" "Hey babe, what's your sign?" LOL! Very cool picture, too! astrid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SueinNC Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Impressive photo! Is the owl still in there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shellers Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Seeing the owl would have freaked me out! My SIL once found a bobcat in her hen house. My DH found a German Shepard in our coop before. He was having a little snack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remudamom Posted March 14, 2012 Author Share Posted March 14, 2012 Impressive photo! Is the owl still in there? NO NO NO! Gone. My chicken coops are in the back of a big building that houses my tack and driving cart and wagon. There are little chicken doors in the side that go out and that's how he got in. I opened the people door to the coop, walked to the front of the building and opened the big carriage door and he was gone before I could turn around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remudamom Posted March 14, 2012 Author Share Posted March 14, 2012 I've found possums, snakes, skunks and now this owl in there, but never a bobcat. We have them though, and coons all over the yard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SueinNC Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Do you know what kind of owl it is? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaithManor Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 My first thought was "look for owl pellets!" Yep, I'd be dissecting the crazy things to see what it has eaten since it will regurgitate the skeletal structure plus feathers, fur, etc. You'd be able to tell if it ate your pullet. Ds dissected one last week and the thing had eaten a mole and a smaller bird. :D Sorry, the science geek in me just can't pass up such an opportunity! Faith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie G Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Yikes- that owl has sharp talons!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wy_kid_wrangler04 Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 I first read this as co-op. That would have made for an exciting class! :lol: What a cool picture! I did too!! :lol: At least I am not alone :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shellers Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 I've found possums, snakes, skunks and now this owl in there, but never a bobcat. We have them though, and coons all over the yard. I'd freakout if I found an opossum, skunk, or coon! What did they do? My SIL shot the bobcat. I've seen big King snakes and a few rattlers but I figured they were eating mice. Although, last spring my DD14 had 3 of her Banti chicks go missing. They were so small they would run through the yard gate to eat grass. They may have gotten lost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenL Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 WOW! That's something you dont' see every day! Wonder what ran through those little chicken pea-brains when Mr. Owl strode in and hopped up on the perch? "Hello ladies....can I buy you a drink?" "Hey babe, what's your sign?" LOL! Very cool picture, too! astrid :lol::lol::lol: I love this! He does look like he has a swagger to him! Glad he has removed himself! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swellmomma Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 wow, freaky. WAs it a horned owl? My kids would have thought it was so cool, I would have been freaked out. As for pellets, I love them, but I am a worrier so I only get the santized ones from the science shop lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotAVampireLvr Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 that is creepy! We have owls in our neighborhood (along with wild turkeys, hawks, etc.) I'd freak out if I bumped into that one up close unexpectedly. Quick thinking with the camera! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 That is an amazing photo! My kids think the red eyes are really creepy. Glad his visit was short lived! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In the Rain Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Wow! I think it would be awesome to see an owl like that. I'm sorry you lost a chicken though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A.Balaban Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Wow! That is an awesome picture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kebo Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Do you know what kind of owl it is? That is a great horned owl. They are quite impressive in person, and very strong. Don't corner one without heavy leather gloves on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bookfiend Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Looks like he is waiting for lunch. Do you think he will try to come back in again, now that he knows the way? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen500 Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Wow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remudamom Posted March 14, 2012 Author Share Posted March 14, 2012 (edited) I didn't think it was a Great Horned, are you sure? If so we've got much bigger scarier ones around. The ear tufts look different. Edited March 14, 2012 by Remudamom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mothersweets Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Wow! I'm amazed that you have any chickens left! Have you found the missing one, or do you think it was a snack for Mr. Owl? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MotherMayI Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 That is so cool! Did you find the missing pullet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolfmeis Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 That owl is mighty surprised! I would have peed my pants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remudamom Posted March 14, 2012 Author Share Posted March 14, 2012 So far I haven't found the missing pullet. She's young and has never been outside. Salmon Favorelle. I drove about three hours one way to get her. 8( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 I hope you find your hen! Wow, finding that owl in the coop would have made me jump! we got into the bad habit of not closing our coop door at night, it was nice the hens could let themselves out in the morning and we hadn't spotted a racoon in a few years...anyways one night around 3 a.m. I wake up to chicken screams and go running out to save my babies...and found all 3 out and crowded around our back door and a big racoon up a tree. I don't know why it didn't eat any of them, but I was so glad they were ok. months later, they still won't go into the coop to roost at night, they roost by our door and we have to carry them into the coop. It took a few days for them to even let us put them in the coop. It must have been scary to wake up and have a big racoon trying to eat you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denisemomof4 Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 So far I haven't found the missing pullet. She's young and has never been outside. Salmon Favorelle. I drove about three hours one way to get her. 8( Oh, I am sorry. :sad: i do hope you find her eventually. I would be surprised if that owl ate her and left no feathers anywhere. VERY cool pic of the owl! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remudamom Posted March 14, 2012 Author Share Posted March 14, 2012 (edited) I don't think there's any pellets in there. I wonder if he had just walked in that morning looking for a daytime hiding spot? I'm still amazed there aren't dead chickens everywhere. Instead of looking for pellets one of the kids wanted to know if it had brought a message. Cracked me up. "You have been accepted into Hogwart's School of Witches and Wizardry!!" Edited March 14, 2012 by Remudamom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Live2Ride Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 very cool! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myfunnybunch Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Oh my. He (she?) is gorgeous! I'm glad the chickens are ok! Cat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mimmy Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Wow! How cool that you got a picture! We managed to get a few shots of a skunk enjoying the nest box buffet last year but have never gotten pictures of th other hen house visitors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delaney Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 I first read this as co-op. That would have made for an exciting class! :lol: What a cool picture! OMG that is just how I read it and thought, "Wow! How exciting!":tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kebo Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 I didn't think it was a Great Horned, are you sure? If so we've got much bigger scarier ones around. The ear tufts look different. They can raise and lower their ear tufts. Google lots of images and you will see them with different appearances. I worked with great horned owls in vet school, and it sure looks like one to me. But, I could be wrong. If you find a closer match, I'd love to know about it! Here's one with ear tufts more like your photo....http://www.hawkquest.org/mews/GreatHornedOwl2.shtml P.S. I'm glad you got your pullet back : ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remudamom Posted March 14, 2012 Author Share Posted March 14, 2012 They can raise and lower their ear tufts. Google lots of images and you will see them with different appearances. I worked with great horned owls in vet school, and it sure looks like one to me. But, I could be wrong. If you find a closer match, I'd love to know about it! Here's one with ear tufts more like your photo....http://www.hawkquest.org/mews/GreatHornedOwl2.shtml P.S. I'm glad you got your pullet back : ) Wow!! You're right, I had no idea they could do that. Makes me feel better about having the hoo-haw scared out of me. Somehow Great Horned Owl seems scarier than Little Barn Owl! I swear that bird was saying "You take one more step and I am going to put. you. down." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kebo Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 (edited) Oh, yeah, they mean business! Their beak is powerful, of course, but their talons are very strong as well. They have a kind of grip that makes it very hard to pry off them off of their prey. Even with gloves on we gave them a lot of respect :001_smile: Edited March 14, 2012 by Kebo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalicoKat Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Wow! He's amazing. Hopefully your pullet comes back tonight. DS says he's a Great Horned Owl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pippen Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Wow!! You're right, I had no idea they could do that. Makes me feel better about having the hoo-haw scared out of me. Somehow Great Horned Owl seems scarier than Little Barn Owl! I swear that bird was saying "You take one more step and I am going to put. you. down." Great photo! He looks incredibly put out by your presence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momofsbandeg Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 You are brave to get the picture of him. Impressive but scary for your chicks. Again, wow!!!:ohmy: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laundrycrisis Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Beautiful picture ! I'm glad nobody was hurt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SueinNC Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 Our local park ranger did identify your owl as the Great Horned Owl and to quote her, "I would suspect that this Great Horned Owl might have had some "fowl" intentions and was looking for dinner! :)!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.