Attack hens

This morning there was a young pigeon in the hen run - I hadn't noticed it but the girls knew it was there - as soon as I let my three out, they ran past breakfast (!) to attack the pigeon. It was quite alarming, all three of them squawking and flapping their wings and bearing down on this poor bird. I had to be quite firm to get them off it - I'm not sure that it will survive.
Has anyone else seen this speciesist behaviour?
I was really surprised at these normally docile ladies behaving in such an unruly fashion.
Mary

Sadly true. Ours tried to pluck a dove and have chased off a few blackbirds and sparrows in their time.
They are not the fluffy pacifists many think. You are only allowed to survive in their midst because you feed them   :blink:
Never turn your back on a hungry hen. 

We do dread the cat ever falling into the run. With 6 of them, it wouldn't be pretty.

Rob

My belgian banties had a pigeon on the lawn today
Feathers everywhere. The cockerel caught it and the hens just dived in like vultures!
Poor thing did manage to escape though
BJ

I dont think bantams in general are more aggressive but my Belgian d'anvers boys are quite bad. The girlies as as daft as a brush, love to sit on your lap and be fussed. I have learnt not to turn my back on the cockerels, they go for your ankles!! They also attack the dogs, horses, birds and any strangers that come. I used to get annoyed with them but just ignore them now and lock them up if we have visitors

Jenny