Do hawks prey also on Jersey Giants?

alessadry

Songster
8 Years
Mar 3, 2011
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I have 16 jersey giant chicks that are 6 weeks now, and as soon as they reach adult size, I am planning to send them free range in my 1 acre yard. We have loads of crickets and scorpions each year and wish them to clean these pests up. Anyhow, I am worried about hawks, they fly around the yard, but have read that easy targets are bantams and small breed, but will hawks still try to attack large chickens like Jerseys? I have 2 roosters so far to protect them and my covered patio and coop to go to if they feel threatened.
 
They still may target them if not left with too many choices.But,I have regular sized breed chickens,some naybe a bit larger and they manage to escpae a hawk Everytime,usually leave with huge gashes that heal quickly.

So yes,the hawks may target your birds,but trust me,if they see something smaller,they more then likely will go for it.

I had kahki campbell ducks who I swear the hawks were getting because only are smallest ones were getting killed.
 
Yes hawks will hunt jersey giants they can hunt rooster size chickens. To prevent casualities I would make a netted area in between a few trees that they can run to in case a hawk comes.
 
I have a flock of jersey giants and have not had an issue. They free range during the day with only some trees to hide under.I also have a few medium sized chickens and they've been fine. We live in an area with lots of hawks, mostly coopers hawks, red tailed, and red shouldered.
The crows help to chase them away but there many days I hear them call and I can see them flying overhead.
I've never lost a single bird to predation.
There was one attack this past fall but when I ran outside to see what the commotion was all about it flew away. It looked like a coopers hawk. I couldn't find a scratch on any of my birds. I don't think the single hawk stood a chance. Both my roosters an two or three of the dominant pullets were protecting the rest.
My pekin duck was attacked by an owl though one night and got pretty banged up. He healed pretty quickly though. Both attacks were around the same time so food must have been scarce.
You should be ok but just make sure they have somewhere to hide.
 

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