➡I accidentally bought Balut eggs: 2 live ducks! Now a Chat Thread!

[RUNuts]

Yes. There is a much more marked difference between awareness in hens by breed.

We had 3 Buzzards come soaring over. The girls didn't even react.

I've cluttered the run up to prevent aerial attacks, but there is always that one hungry hawk that will try it anyway.

 

[BantyChooks]

We had 3 Buzzards come soaring over. The girls didn't even react.

I've cluttered the run up to prevent aerial attacks, but there is always that one hungry hawk that will try it anyway.

Idiots. They'll learn when they get disemboweled.
My birds are all hawk smart now. It's nice; I haven't had a loss in years. They stick to cover, keep an eye out, and dive into hiding at the first sign of a soaring bird.

 

[BantyChooks]

Thanks! That makes a lot of sense. I never thought of that before.

As far as range-wary hens go, leghorns are far and away the best. My bantams are good at getting away as well. The birds that have been caught by hawks are two red sex links, one cream legbar, and one sultan.

 

[R2elk]

Idiots. They'll learn when they get disemboweled.
My birds are all hawk smart now. It's nice; I haven't had a loss in years. They stick to cover, keep an eye out, and dive into hiding at the first sign of a soaring bird.

My SFH roosters were the best about aerial warnings. Those roosters made a specific sound when anything aerial approached and all the poultry including the turkeys dived for cover.

 

[R2elk]

As far as range-wary hens go, leghorns are far and away the best. My bantams are good at getting away as well. The birds that have been caught by hawks are two red sex links, one cream legbar, and one sultan.

Legbars can be idiots. I had a Rose Comb Legbar cockerel that was doing a courtship dance for a cat.

 

[BantyChooks]

Legbars can be idiots. I had a Rose Comb Legbar cockerel that was doing a courtship dance for a cat.

 

[BantyChooks]

My SFH roosters were the best about aerial warnings. Those roosters made a specific sound when anything aerial approached and all the poultry including the turkeys dived for cover.

Yep. I find that after a time, the chickens now listen to the ducks' warning calls, which is great because they're incredibly observant. They're not fast... but they're at least good hawk spotters. Them plus my fleet of roosters have helped cut hawk attacks down significantly from what they were a few years ago. Not for lack of trying on the hawks' part.

 

[FortCluck]

My jersey giant is always watching the sky. I've only had 2 that have been attacked. One was my white Cochin and the other was my golden laced polish. I still have both.

For some reason my birds fight like crazy and they always get away. The only ones that haven't been able to are chicks.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Idiots. They'll learn when they get disemboweled.
My birds are all hawk smart now. It's nice; I haven't had a loss in years. They stick to cover, keep an eye out, and dive into hiding at the first sign of a soaring bird.

Mine are pretty hawk smart now since we’ve had a few attacks and close calls.

Most recent was a few months ago where one almost got one of the babies. Speckled Sussex but she dove under the deck and got away. Hawk only got a couple feathers.

Before that was maybe 2?? Years ago when I lost a Buff Orpington. That really made them wisen up.

Then the year before I almost lost one the first summer I had them. That time it grabbed tons of feathers and there was a trail but she got away with no injuries. Also a Buff Orpington but not sure if was the same one or not.

They seem to be a bit ditzy though and they will also stay out almost till dark when I let them free range. They’re the last to go to bed. One of my Easter Eggers is always first. Before it’s even dark.

My Easter Eggers are really good about sounding the alarm and they will all hide and freeze for several minutes until it passes.

As far as range-wary hens go, leghorns are far and away the best. My bantams are good at getting away as well. The birds that have been caught by hawks are two red sex links, one cream legbar, and one sultan.

Yeah, my Leghorn is great as is one of my Easter Eggers. The Orpingtons seem to be the worst because all they care about is food rather than staying with the group and staying safe haha

I’ve lost one and almost lost another (not sure if same one or not) and almost lost a Speckled Sussex. Just narrowly made it under the deck.

My SFH roosters were the best about aerial warnings. Those roosters made a specific sound when anything aerial approached and all the poultry including the turkeys dived for cover.

That’s awesome!! Hopefully whichever rooster I end up with is good at that because that’s the kind of rooster I need. Our main threat there is hawks. We do have foxes and raccoons and stuff but most of my losses or near losses have been due to hawks.

Legbars can be idiots. I had a Rose Comb Legbar cockerel that was doing a courtship dance for a cat.

OMG.

 

[FortCluck]

Groot ate 10 freeze dried soldierworms I hand fed him and he did so good eating!

He's actually shedding, which means he's growing Looks like this little guy is going to thrive!