Red Tail Hawk Attack videos

Here is the Youtube Playlist of the videos taken the other day in the aftermath of a redtail hawk attack. It was the second attack, second barred rock layer it killed. The first time, the gate to the covered run was open and it walked in. This time, it blasted through the netting on top of the run. After killing the hen, it couldn't get back out. It seems to be exhausted from trying to escape.

I wish I had kept the camera going the whole time, but was in shock. You don't often get closeups of this magnificent raptor. And it is a big one.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRABA0lKr7tMDqiI2NowTxnGx979e89yQ

Some of these videos have already been posted in other threads. I promise this is the last posting of these hawk videos -- I am done processing the trauma.

pnwoldie said:

Here is the Youtube Playlist of the videos taken the other day in the aftermath of a redtail hawk attack. It was the second attack, second barred rock layer it killed.  The first time, the gate to the covered run was open and it walked in.  This time, it blasted through the netting on top of the run.  After killing the hen, it couldn't get back out.  It seems to be exhausted from trying to escape.

I wish I had kept the camera going the whole time, but was in shock.  You don't often get closeups of this magnificent raptor.  And it is a big one. 

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRABA0lKr7tMDqiI2NowTxnGx979e89yQ

Some of these videos have already been posted in other threads.  I promise this is the last posting of these hawk videos -- I am done processing the trauma.

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Sorry for your losses. This seems to be the time of year I have the most problems with hawks...lost a juvenile pullet a couple of weeks ago to a RTH and another one almost got another juvenile today. I saw the hawk fly low over the barn, where the chickens and ducks hang out during the day, so I ran outside. I found enough white and red feathers to think either a juvenile Bresse or New Hampshire Red "bought the farm". Fortunately, the hawk flew away out of sight when it saw me and it turns out the hawk only got feathers. The NHR cockerel that lost the big clump of reddish feathers had a couple of small lacerations on one leg, so he's in a cage for observation and his wound's been cleaned and treated with Vetericyn. Based on the location of the feathers, the juveniles were under a very thorny hedge apple bush, so the small punctures could even have been caused by thorns. Regardless, it was these juveniles' lucky day. Based on last year's experience, the hawk attacks around here should decrease in a month or so...at least I hope that pattern holds true.

Glad your birds survived today's attack! I never thought hawks would be such determined stalkers. I always thought they would happen to fly over and by chance see a hen and swoop down. But no they are out there watching and waiting for their chance.

pnwoldie said:

Glad your birds survived today's attack! I never thought hawks would be such determined stalkers. I always thought they would happen to fly over and by chance see a hen and swoop down. But no they are out there watching and waiting for their chance.

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Thanks! Yep, they sure do seem to be...and we can't monitor them every second.

Kinda sad. He/she is starving. That's the only reason for such actions on the bird's part. It is probably one of this year's hatch, the majority of which die from starvation during their first year. They are not all born good hunters.
Sorry for your losses. If it comes back, perhaps you could call a local raptor center to come and rescue it.

Great post. What kind of netting did you have onto of your run? I used chickenwire on top of my run. I have a red tail hawk living next door.

Thanks Little Fuzzy! We have chicken wire on top of the run NOW (photo below). Before, it was covered with a nylon black netting we picked up at the farm store. There were also green wires crossing the 12' direction of the 12x16 coop. You can see the netting in the last video in the playlist.

There's a youtube video of a redtail hawk trying to get in to a coop through chicken wire here:

Wow, the hawk is very impressive! You just need him to be impressive somewhere else!

I know you upgraded the roofing to chicken wire, just be aware that chicken wire will not stop most land predators. Dogs and raccoons have been known to rip through it to get at chickens.

Sorry for your losses.

Thanks thomasboyle. There is hardware cloth about 2-3 feet tall around the run and dug down about 8 inches. Not sure if that is good enough. You need Fort Knox to keep them completely safe it seems, with 24-hour armed guards.