- Jul 4, 2012
- 165
- 19
- 93
Ahhh these stupid hawks I thought left for good - but they came back with a vengence.
Literally - one was on top of my coop, and one went IN my coop. I had to leave the door open just enough for the turkey's to go in should the hawk come (since it killed 1 chicken in the open side of my coop last week, and two in front of it the week before, and one outside of a shed where they go to free range and hide) and boy did the hawk come.
I was going out to take my daughter to school - and I saw a hawk on top of the coop. So I started running toward it - but it wasn't flying away! As I got closer, it finally flew just a little away to the tree right outside of my fence - which is WEIRD. So I kept going. Got to the fence and opened the gate - started going toward the coop and didn't a huge red tailed hawk (the partner) come flying out of the small door opening. She was in there eating my FAVORITE chicken alive!
I took my girl and put her in the house in a box. I went to access her wounds and saw her leg was completely tore open - I can see the ligaments inside of it. She also has a hole in her belly sort of. As I inspected further - I realized both sides of her neck have holes in them. Gosh, now I'm so sorry I caught the hawk in the act, and kind of wish it just put her out of her misery.
I cleaned the leg and wrapped it - but I haven't touched the neck. Not even sure what to do. She was perky this morning though when I went to check her out. Drinking water, and eating some happy hen treats.
So now, I have to get a LSG dog and make them go into a smaller "dog pen" fenced area which is 10 X 14. Finally my husband is understanding that I get so much enjoyment out of these chickens, and while he cant stand them - he has agreed that I should protect them somehow when they are free ranging, even right at the stinking coop.
So I have a few questions.
1. Do you have a LSG dog, and does it live outside 24/7? Do they sleep in the coop with the flock or outside of the coop? Does anyone know where I can get one in New Jersey or surrounding?
2. Will the dog pen covered (which girls can walk out of coop into) with one of those black shade pieces be enough to keep the hawks out until said dog is secured?
3. What the heck can I do for Ms Mary chicken? I feel like her neck will heal, but the leg will take so long, if it even can heal.I don't know if keeping it wrapped is good or bad since she can't walk at ALL with it wrapped. When I got her she was limping on it but all she wanted to do was get the heck out of there so was just adrenaline pumping I suppose. Poor girl even layed a soft shell egg today.
This hole is at the top of her thigh, and to the top right of that, on her belly is another small hole.
Literally - one was on top of my coop, and one went IN my coop. I had to leave the door open just enough for the turkey's to go in should the hawk come (since it killed 1 chicken in the open side of my coop last week, and two in front of it the week before, and one outside of a shed where they go to free range and hide) and boy did the hawk come.
I was going out to take my daughter to school - and I saw a hawk on top of the coop. So I started running toward it - but it wasn't flying away! As I got closer, it finally flew just a little away to the tree right outside of my fence - which is WEIRD. So I kept going. Got to the fence and opened the gate - started going toward the coop and didn't a huge red tailed hawk (the partner) come flying out of the small door opening. She was in there eating my FAVORITE chicken alive!
I took my girl and put her in the house in a box. I went to access her wounds and saw her leg was completely tore open - I can see the ligaments inside of it. She also has a hole in her belly sort of. As I inspected further - I realized both sides of her neck have holes in them. Gosh, now I'm so sorry I caught the hawk in the act, and kind of wish it just put her out of her misery.
I cleaned the leg and wrapped it - but I haven't touched the neck. Not even sure what to do. She was perky this morning though when I went to check her out. Drinking water, and eating some happy hen treats.
So now, I have to get a LSG dog and make them go into a smaller "dog pen" fenced area which is 10 X 14. Finally my husband is understanding that I get so much enjoyment out of these chickens, and while he cant stand them - he has agreed that I should protect them somehow when they are free ranging, even right at the stinking coop.
So I have a few questions.
1. Do you have a LSG dog, and does it live outside 24/7? Do they sleep in the coop with the flock or outside of the coop? Does anyone know where I can get one in New Jersey or surrounding?
2. Will the dog pen covered (which girls can walk out of coop into) with one of those black shade pieces be enough to keep the hawks out until said dog is secured?
3. What the heck can I do for Ms Mary chicken? I feel like her neck will heal, but the leg will take so long, if it even can heal.I don't know if keeping it wrapped is good or bad since she can't walk at ALL with it wrapped. When I got her she was limping on it but all she wanted to do was get the heck out of there so was just adrenaline pumping I suppose. Poor girl even layed a soft shell egg today.
This hole is at the top of her thigh, and to the top right of that, on her belly is another small hole.