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Another hawk thread.

Discussion in 'Predators and Pests' started by budda, Aug 16, 2011.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Aug 16, 2011 #1
    budda

    budda Chillin' With My Peeps

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    May 2, 2011
    Atlanta GA
    I live in the city of Atlanta and my wife called me yesterday and said a hawk swooped into our tiny back yard while she was watering the plants with the chickens, and grabbed one of our 12 week old pullets. Ripped a good amount of feathers out but my wife said she kicked the hawk off our pullet. I asked her to say that again and she said the hawk did not want to leave so she kicked it. She said it flopped about a minute then flew up into an oak tree which is in the yard next door. After a few minutes the hawk flew off.

    Will hawks attack full grown standards as well? The one that was ruffled is an Easter Egger.

    Wife said all 7 would not come out from under the bushes along the fence, even when tempted with watermelon and crickets, their favorites.
     
  3. Aug 16, 2011 #2
    mdbokc

    mdbokc Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Oklahoma County, OK
    Yes, they will attack a full grown standard. I have lost a few to them.
     
  5. Aug 16, 2011 #3
    budda

    budda Chillin' With My Peeps

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    May 2, 2011
    Atlanta GA
    Was not a hawk, it was a gyrfalcon I believe
     
  7. Aug 16, 2011 #4
    Young Heritage

    Young Heritage Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Oct 4, 2010
    Monterey TN
    I am not saying they will not attack a full size chicken but once mine reached bantam size the hawk stopped attacking mine. I lost 6 before they got that big though. Not sure if the chickens got smarter and watch/hide now or if the hawk gave up on the larger ones. The last one I lost was not taken only the head and internals were missing. 5 before that only a pile of feathers remained.
     
  9. Aug 16, 2011 #5
    centrarchid

    centrarchid Chicken Obsessed

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    Sep 19, 2009
    Holts Summit, Missouri
    Quote:Not likely a gyrfalcon. You are too far south unless it belongs to a falconer. It maybe a juvenile of one species or another. Sometimes juveniles a little tough to ID unless you are familiar with hawks.


    Most likely candidates in your area for attacking 12 week standard size chickens are red-tailed hawk and Coopers Hawk. Another possible but you are still a bit south for is the goshawk.

    Flocks of juvenile and females only make more tempting targets for hawks.
     
  11. Aug 18, 2011 #6
    Grillmaster33

    Grillmaster33 Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Apr 18, 2008
    Triad, NC
    Wow. Just minutes ago the same thing happened to me. I have a flock of about 20 or so birds. I hear a cry, maybe 12 feet from where I sat, and right next to my dog, to see this massive bird standing proudly atop one of my young bantam roos. I threw a bagel (it was the closest thing I could grab, and he attempted to take off with my bird...

    Into the trees it disappeared...and my little guy is wrapped in a shirt under a heat lamp. I see no blood, and he has since stood up, but he won't open his eyes. I imagine he is terrified.

    It took a good scare to get my larger bantam hens to run from under the bush and into the coop.

    It was amazing to see - but quite sad. [​IMG]
     
  13. Aug 18, 2011 #7
    budda

    budda Chillin' With My Peeps

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    May 2, 2011
    Atlanta GA
    I actually am a wildlife nut and know a bit about hawks and falcons. This one was a falcon, but I am not sure which one. I was told today That it's to early for certain migratory falcons to be in the area but not 4 miles or so by the way the crow flies, there are Peregrine falcons which either just fledged or are about to fledge in down town ATL. I guess it is not to far fetched but in any case, I have been watching out. If it was a peregrine, it'd be the second time I ever saw one in the wild.

    The coloration was very similar to that of a gyrfalcon which is why I thought it might have been one.
     
    Last edited: Aug 18, 2011

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