- Thread starter
- #11
- Aug 12, 2014
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Thanks!!
Well, I'm happy to report that we have lost NO additional chickens after this initial Barred Rock Roo taken by what we think was a Cooper's Hawk.
We currently have 36 chickens:
6 Golden Comets (laying--bought from a friend--maybe 7 months old)
4 White Leghorn (same age, great eggs)
26 15-week old pullets (18) and Roos (8).
Have been whittling away at my Roo population, but since only 2 are mature, there hasn't been much of a problem. I have successfully rehomed literally 18 roosters in the past three months!! Want to get down to maybe 5-6 and possibly keep all but two separate.
But back to protection. Big Red Roo and his Lieutenant Del (very creative, right? For Delaware?) are excellent sky-watchers. Their warning calls are SO COOL! Kind of a trill/warble sound that send everyone running. I thought it would be more of a screeching sound or a crow, but it's not.
We have plenty of cover in the pasture: two upside down Great Dane size dog crates, pallet "tables" my husband made, and pallets strategically leaned up against the coop in different spots. PLUS, we added a fake owl who occasionally moves.
Thanks for all the advice! Maybe with a bunch of testosterone and a fake owl, the Hawks have given up!
Well, I'm happy to report that we have lost NO additional chickens after this initial Barred Rock Roo taken by what we think was a Cooper's Hawk.
We currently have 36 chickens:
6 Golden Comets (laying--bought from a friend--maybe 7 months old)
4 White Leghorn (same age, great eggs)
26 15-week old pullets (18) and Roos (8).
Have been whittling away at my Roo population, but since only 2 are mature, there hasn't been much of a problem. I have successfully rehomed literally 18 roosters in the past three months!! Want to get down to maybe 5-6 and possibly keep all but two separate.
But back to protection. Big Red Roo and his Lieutenant Del (very creative, right? For Delaware?) are excellent sky-watchers. Their warning calls are SO COOL! Kind of a trill/warble sound that send everyone running. I thought it would be more of a screeching sound or a crow, but it's not.
We have plenty of cover in the pasture: two upside down Great Dane size dog crates, pallet "tables" my husband made, and pallets strategically leaned up against the coop in different spots. PLUS, we added a fake owl who occasionally moves.
Thanks for all the advice! Maybe with a bunch of testosterone and a fake owl, the Hawks have given up!
