Need advice/suggestions before letting my birds free range

Do a google search for the types of hawks found in your area. You'll get both pictures, possibly videos, as well as be able to hear the sounds they make. I lost 2 full grown birds to Northern Goshawk about a month ago. It was brutal.

What time of year are hawks most active? I live in delaware if that helps

I went ahead and ler them out for about 45 mins. They definitely didn't come running to the food jar lol. They didn't go far luckily and not all of them came
out because they couldn't figure it out lol.

HeatherTheMommy said:

What time of year are hawks most active? I live in delaware if that helps

Click to expand...

In Delaware, the most common species will probably be sharp-shinned hawks, cooper's hawks and red-tailed hawks. Hawks will be present and active year-round. These and other hawk species will also be present during spring and fall migration. As you're located along a major migratory flyway, hawk numbers will probably be higher spring and fall, as both resident birds and migrating hawks will be in the area.

In my area (central PA), the pressure from hawks seems to be highest in November and February. This may be due to a combination of factors, including lower prey availability, decreased vegetative cover (i.e., leaves are off the trees), and presence of both resident and migratory hawks.

So i was lettint the girls out for about an hour every evening while i was out there but realistically its hard for me to dtay out there since i have 2 small children. Yesterday i let them out from about 130 until they went into the coop themselves when it got dark. I know it is a big risk but they seem so happy running around being free. I guess ive come to the conclusion that as heartbreaking as it is they live a better life outside of the run which is nothing but dirt and mud and if i lose one i know they were having the best life. I keep my sliding door open to listen and i keep my dog outside (he is in a fence but barks at anything in the yard) and we also pulled up our big trailer behind the coop to give them something to go under if they need to but they seem to just wander around the shed which also has lots of things to go under. My 2 orpingtons did get super brave and went back into the woods lining our house last night which i didnt love... the neighbor has dogs and i hope they dont run through. All in all they seem so happy and when i walk outside they all run over to me and follow me all around the yard.