Almost, not this time (pic)

[annie3001]

um....i do not planning on shooting them .

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Quote:
I know- don't worry!

I posted it for the readers of the thread. Sorry for the miscommunication.

 

[annie3001]

no problem...

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Quote:

Thanks!

 

[brandislee]

Quote:
I've been wondering and searching the web for exactly how effective the jays and crows are, because when I got chicks hawks were my biggest concern. In the late winter/early spring, when I was planning my housing and raising my chicks, I used to lay down on the couch in the afternoon and just watch the hawks circle (not after my chicks, which were still inside at the time). Then, when my chickens were still young and probably about two weeks after their run was finished I had one carried out of the yard by something that I assumed was a hawk since it was missing with no sign (I have since covered the run and put electric fence around the top and have had no more losses).

But over the summer I started letting my chickens free range, which I didn't think I would ever have the stomach for. At first it was just a few hours in the evening, with me sitting attentively nearby. Then I started to work in the garden while they were out. Then I let them out for longer. Now on most days I let them out between 11a and 12 and they stay out until dusk. So far (knocking on wood right now) I haven't had any losses, but I am honestly really surprised I haven't had any incidents at all. I see hawks still up the road from us, but haven't seen any near our yard for a while. And I have noticed that we do have crows and blue jays living in the oaks. I was wondering how effective this was, and I couldn't find anything conclusive. I am basically wondering how vigilant I need to be now that it's getting colder and the migratory hawks are starting to move south and the trees are loosing their leaves and providing less cover.

 

[hallerlake]

Quote:
I've been wondering and searching the web for exactly how effective the jays and crows are, because when I got chicks hawks were my biggest concern. In the late winter/early spring, when I was planning my housing and raising my chicks, I used to lay down on the couch in the afternoon and just watch the hawks circle (not after my chicks, which were still inside at the time). Then, when my chickens were still young and probably about two weeks after their run was finished I had one carried out of the yard by something that I assumed was a hawk since it was missing with no sign (I have since covered the run and put electric fence around the top and have had no more losses).

But over the summer I started letting my chickens free range, which I didn't think I would ever have the stomach for. At first it was just a few hours in the evening, with me sitting attentively nearby. Then I started to work in the garden while they were out. Then I let them out for longer. Now on most days I let them out between 11a and 12 and they stay out until dusk. So far (knocking on wood right now) I haven't had any losses, but I am honestly really surprised I haven't had any incidents at all. I see hawks still up the road from us, but haven't seen any near our yard for a while. And I have noticed that we do have crows and blue jays living in the oaks. I was wondering how effective this was, and I couldn't find anything conclusive. I am basically wondering how vigilant I need to be now that it's getting colder and the migratory hawks are starting to move south and the trees are loosing their leaves and providing less cover.

Crows work best as a warning system. They've let me know both times I had a bald eagle in the yard in time to save my chickens.

 

[mrpekinduck]

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