BYC's 2025 Spooktacular Halloween Hatch-Along

[ella2025]

The treat update:

I have them some chopped up Napa leaves and they actually ate it quickly this time! They have a much better appetite for treats than Saffron and Pepper were.

Beth next to Peach. Beth is so small!

Here's them just chowin' down.
Why are both the Brahma mixes getting buff feathers? Splash x Columbian shouldn't do that, right?

 

[Rooski456]

That's hilarious. I culled a male, Taz, and most the chicks in the yard are his . . and mostly males 9/12. He definitely got the last laugh.

Lol he really really got you with all those males! I am really curious to see how many males I end up with

 

[Rooski456]

Took the chicks outside for a few minutes after cleaning out the brooder. The big girls took a curious peak but kept their distance

 

[ella2025]

I was in my living room facing the backyard just 3 minutes ago, then I watched as a massive bird swooped from the sky and almost knocked the little chick cage the chicks were in over. It was a mature red tail hawk trying to eat my chicks. I screamed bloody murder and the hawk went away. It flew to a nearby branch. It looked the size of a turkey sitting on that branch!!!

I went outside and checked on the chicks. This was them hiding, crouched low, under random things in the little rabbit hutch they were in and didn't move for 30 seconds just staring at me in shock.

Muffin scraped her comb because she tucked her head under this little ramp thing. They looked absolutely petrified.

Then they realized it was me and came out. They look weak. But thankfully the coop was strong enough to endure 5 seconds of a huge hawk grappling at it and they were unharmed except for some scrapes.

That was the most terrifying moment of my life, but at least they know to hide when they see a hawk now. Poor babies.

 

[redinator]

I was in my living room facing the backyard just 3 minutes ago, then I watched as a massive bird swooped from the sky and almost knocked the little chick cage the chicks were in over. It was a mature red tail hawk trying to eat my chicks. I screamed bloody murder and the hawk went away. It flew to a nearby branch. It looked the size of a turkey sitting on that branch!!!
View attachment 4251636I went outside and checked on the chicks. This was them hiding, crouched low, under random things in the little rabbit hutch they were in and didn't move for 30 seconds just staring at me in shock.
View attachment 4251638
View attachment 4251637Muffin scraped her comb because she tucked her head under this little ramp thing. They looked absolutely petrified.

View attachment 4251639 Then they realized it was me and came out. They look weak. But thankfully the coop was strong enough to endure 5 seconds of a huge hawk grappling at it and they were unharmed except for some scrapes.
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That was the most terrifying moment of my life, but at least they know to hide when they see a hawk now. Poor babies.

I'd suggest putting a trap or other cover over the top, if you don't have one already. It might prevent ariel predators from seeing the chicks while flying over.

 

[ella2025]

I'd suggest putting a trap or other cover over the top, if you don't have one already. It might prevent ariel predators from seeing the chicks while flying over.

A trap? As in, hawk trap?

I think I'll attach a piece of tarp on the top of the cage. But I'll leave the sides bare so they can get some sun still. Also I took them inside for this afternoon and night. Hopefully that hawk doesn't come back any time soon.

 

[redinator]

A trap? As in, hawk trap?

I think I'll attach a piece of tarp on the top of the cage. But I'll leave the sides bare so they can get some sun still. Also I took them inside for this afternoon and night. Hopefully that hawk doesn't come back any time soon.

I meant tarp, not trap.

 

[african chickens]

Offered the chicks pepper today, they were not impressed

 

[jxp]

There are hawks where I live. Even though I've seen them circling above or sitting in the dogwood next door watching my girls free range, oddly enough, I've never had one try to snatch a meal... I do however sometimes have trouble finding leg room or turning over in my own queen size bed.

 

[ella2025]

There are hawks where I live. Even though I've seen them circling above or sitting in the dogwood next door watching my girls free range, oddly enough, I've never had one try to snatch a meal... I do however sometimes have trouble finding leg room or turning over in my own queen size bed.
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4 doggies is my dream!