Arizona Chickens

Pics
Date sort Score sort
We finally had a hawk find us.
I was in the yard yesterday and heard squawking and flapping on the other side of the yard by the pomegranate tree. I went running over to see Ruby (GSL) crouching under the tree and a hawk sitting on the wall. It wasn't scared of me at all and I got pretty close before it flew off. Ruby ran across the yard as fast as she could (with me as her guard) back to the coop side and hid in the coop. I locked them all in for awhile and then let them out only while guarding them. I don't know if that hawk will be back but I don't want to take any chances.
I haven't seen the hawk since. I'm hoping it was passing through. Isn't is that time of year?
How long do you think the girls need to be locked up until the hawk completely gives up on us?
 
Do you know what kind of hawk it was? We have Cooper's hawks in our yard every single day, seriously. They really don't bother our chickens. This morning I saw a solitary Harris hawk less than a mile away and yesterday I saw a Red Tailed hawk soaring high above, I hope both stay far away.

Oh, I just remembered you have birds that are not fully grown. I'd leave them locked up for a day at least.
 
Last edited:
Quote:
I've been trying to figure it out. I didn't get a good look at it, really because I was looking at Ruby more to make sure she was OK.
I saw it sitting with it's back to me on the wall but turned and looking at me.
My impressions were of a kind of small head, mostly a solid medium brown with white horizontal stripes on the long, thin tail.
As it flew away I was looking for Ruby so I didn't see it's wings or front of the body.

The not-fully grown birds are not out without supervision yet. These were the full-grown hens.
 
Last edited:
Your description of white stripes on the tail sounds like a Cooper's. We generally only have problems as they are fledging in early summer. I think it takes awhile for the juveniles to figure out that they should focus their time on doves. We apparently had one after the chickens recently as they are responding to their presence once again, rather than ignoring them.

Would you say it was a smaller to medium sized hawk or a huge hawk?

56638_coopershawk2.jpg
 
It was probably a Cooper's. Good for Ruby at getting away! I think that near-misses like that are probably good learning experiences for the free-ranging chicken. I think it helps keep them vigilant and mindful of places to quickly hide. As my girls got older they seemed to spend less and less time in vulnerable areas too.
 
Quote:
Thank you. You know I found this site when I was looking for help way back when, but then I forgot about it. That's probably why I have been a member since 08 but only have 48 or so post. I will be joining in when ever I have something I know about, or need help.
Thank you all.
wee.gif
 
I have 20 pounds of Cascade's corn/soy free organic chick starter left. It's been in a sealed container kept in a cool room and I've had it 2 months.
It's probably enough to raise 4-6 chicks to 6 weeks. Mine have done really well on it.
Is anyone in the East Valley of Phoenix or in Tucson interested?
I'd like to get something for it (it's normally $29 for 50 lbs)
 

Similar threads

Millylou18
    • Like
Az heat and chicks
Replies
3
Views
253
cavemanrich
cavemanrich
C
Introducing new chickens to the flock
Replies
4
Views
250
OLDRanch
O
K
    • Like
Help With Garage Brooder - Arizona!
Replies
5
Views
1K
BlueBaby
B
C
Finding chicks and what to do
Replies
4
Views
335
Chickensarecool123
C
P
Grit for Goslings
Replies
2
Views
622
Pgw
P

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom