I have been warned numerous times that when a llama attacks something it turns from its placid usual self into something rather nasty. I have witnessed that tonight!!
For the last couple of nights , the llama has been agitated, looking over the wall, into next doors field. He has then herded the hens down towards the sheds, once its going dark, as if he did not want them out any longer. Hens being hens, did not want to go in until they were ready.
Tonight, I had just put their food down before they went inside. Llama came charging down the field, tried to round the hens up, but not all did as he wanted. Before I could stop him he reared up, and landed with both feet on a very large hen. I picked it up, could see it was in a bad way. Called up the field for my hubby to come and dispatch it, but before he reached me it was dead - pretty instant. On inspection the hen had a broken neck and a broken foot.
I was upset about the hen, as it was not a battery hen, but a very large laying hen, although getting on in years. At least it went quick. And not one to waste anything, its now plucked and dressed and waiting to be cooked. Cannot miss the chance of a free range chicken.
Well, we now know what would happen to a fox ....just hope this was a freak accident and no more go the same way.