big swooping bird took a baby!

[chickflick]

Having lots of bushes for them to hide under is ideal. No, it's not 100% safe, but nothing is as we can see by the many posts of predators getting into their runs and coops.

 

[Beekissed]

A chicken tractor sounds like a good idea here!

I free range amidst hawk country but the dogs are on high alert and will actually jump up in the air at any large, low-flying birds! I've seen where people put up wood pallets or plywood on a set of blocks in the open areas of free range for hawk refuge. I have my free rangers in a 65 ft. x 10 ft. run due to the garden being so young (plan to let them range again when the plants are bigger) and I have noticed they avoid the end away from the coop. I would guess too open for them and too far from the dogs. I plan to either tarp or throw some boards across that end of the run for cover from hawks. It already has a shade tree on that end but I doubt they feel secure there.

 

[smom1976]

maybe a tractor, I might just let the kids let them out when they come home from school and are playing outside.. less likely with the kids in the yard and the dog in the yard for something to swoop them away..

 

[nautical_bouy]

That might work if it's only hawks and falcons,,if you have golden eagles, they can kill the dogs with no trouble.

 

[Davaroo]

Okay so the whole story unfolds.

As has been said here, you cannot protect them 100% unless you cover them. In a smallish area like you have, that is very feasible and your best bet for total protection.

Short of that, yard shelters and alowing them out when you are around is the next best thing. The rest of the time, they stay in the pen/covered run, as all good chickens should.

 

[dixygirl]

My heart goes out to you. I lost one of my African Gray parrots to a Red Tail Falcon a few years ago. I cried nonstop when that happened.

I had been taking a stroll in the garden with him on my shoulder as we had done frequently. He was extremely well trained and tamed. Normally I could toss him in the air and he would fly in a circle and come back to me. This time he saw the falcon before I did and FLEW DIRECTLY TO HIM!

This bird loved me dearly and was very protective of me. Once I was having an argument with a fellow and the bird flew at him, bit his face and stayed latched on his face swinging, biting and clawing! So I think my friend flew to the falcon to protect me from it .... in his mind. It was his last fight

May he rest in peace.

I am thinking a tractor is a great idea. I have an empty large dog house I could use. I would just have to builld a run out of chicken wire and 1x2s in front of it. Good luck preparing a home for your babies too. May the rest of them be safe!