Heroic goat and Rooster rescue chicken buddy from hawk in dramatic video
[Sept 14, 2021: Brooke Kato]
Picture a very special episode of “Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom” — plopped right in the middle of an unassuming country farm.
Indeed, it was like a page out of a surreal children’s storybook as a goat and rooster rushed to the rescue of their chicken buddy when it was attacked by a predatory hawk, as captured in a dramatic new viral video.
Jaap Beets, a farmer in Gelderland, in the Netherlands, was in his farmhouse on Sept. 5 when he heard a commotion coming from his livestock outside.
“I was so proud of the rooster and the goat jumping in to defend our chicken,” farmer Beets, 59, told SWNS. “I was also very relieved that the chicken survived.”
His CCTV footage showed the moment a goshawk dive-bombed a chicken, feather plumes flying in the air. Almost immediately, one of the farm’s roosters sprinted to the chick’s rescue, defending his fellow feathered pal.
Beets’ goat Bruin joined the showdown, too, charging the hawk to scare it away. Turns out goats — which have a deceptively chill reputation for being fine artists and doing trendy yoga — are actually badass vigilantes when pushed to their limits.
Mr Beets confirmed that the chicken (both pictured) escaped with minor injuries, adding that it was the third attack on his chickens by a bird of prey in seven years. (CREDIT: Kennedy News & Media)
The dynamic duo eventually saved the chicken, forcing the hawk to fly away empty-taloned only a mere 17 seconds after swooping in.
The chicken suffered minor injuries— but Beets said the other farm animals “rallied around her” to mend her back to full health.
Meanwhile, this wasn’t the first time farmer Beets has experienced such drama — his other goats and turkeys have jumped in to rescue his chickens twice before.
“In the seven years I have lived here, it’s the third attack on our chickens,” he said. “This was the second from a goshawk and the other was a buzzard.”
Mr Beets, who lives with his wife Carina (pictured with 'hero' goat Bruin), said it isn't the first time that he has been 'proud' of his animals for rushing to save his chickens. (CREDIT: Kennedy News & Media)
Beets’ video of the incredible rescue team has been viewed more than a half-million times on social media, according to SWNS.
“That goat, though, what a hero. He deserves a whole bale of alfalfa to himself,” one person wrote in the comments.
Other viewers compared it to a classic “Disney adventure.”
“I grew up with a deep respect for nature and have worked in environmental jobs and in nature conservation all my life,” Beets said. “We try to facilitate nature as much as possible.”
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