shrike's larder; impaled prey
Refers to the behavior of shrikes (モズ) impaling prey on thorns or twigs for later eating. Often used in the phrase モズのはやにえ. This is the primary modern meaning.
See also: もずのはやにえ
The shrike's larder is a common topic at winter nature observation events.
first offering of the season
Original meaning: the first harvest or catch offered to the gods. Now rare and mostly historical; the modern word is usually associated with the shrike behavior.
庭の木に、はやにえを見つけた。
I found impaled prey on a tree in the garden.
In old texts, はやにえ referred to the first seasonal offering to the gods.
First produce of the season, but without the religious offering nuance of the archaic はやにえ.
Rare kanji spelling; 速 means 'quick' and 贄 means 'offering', but this form is not common.
Irregular kanji usage; 早 can mean 'early' but this spelling is not standard.
From 早 (haya, 'early') + 贄 (nie, 'offering'), originally meaning the first offering of the season. The modern meaning derives from the shrike's habit of impaling prey early for later consumption.