I have... or had 5 chickens. I have a very secure pen for them (with a wired roof) but I liked for them to free-range in my backyard a little almost everyday. They got into the habit of jumping on my deck and then on top of the fence.. They must have flew over the fence a few times and I know they can fly over a low part of my fence. That was okay because they could fly back. When I went on vacation, my grandmother fed them and checked on them. She decided that their wings needed to be clipped and did it while I was gone.. without asking. I was worried because I was sure it would make it harder to escape from predators!
Sure enough, less than a week later, two of my hens never came home. I did find several scattered feathers from Big Mamma (my only standard chicken) but I didn't find any from Abbey (the banty that was missing). I was so sad! Did a hawk get them? I know I've seen one down the road. I feel so terrible about it! I had just gotten my first egg from Big Mamma! So sad.
Well now I have to make a decision because the ratio is terrible. I have two banty roos and one banty hen. They are only 41/2 months old but they already pester her. I can't start over with baby chicks right now even though I'd love to!
What do you think I should do? Give them to somebody that has a bigger secure cage? Mine is so small... it seems cruel not letting them free-range ever but I don't want them all to be hawk food! Is there a certain time of the day that hawks don't hunt? I can't expand the cage.. just can't afford it.
. Should I trade with somebody? A roo for a hen? If so, anybody interested? Lol.
Anyway, just thought I'd get yalls opinions!
Sure enough, less than a week later, two of my hens never came home. I did find several scattered feathers from Big Mamma (my only standard chicken) but I didn't find any from Abbey (the banty that was missing). I was so sad! Did a hawk get them? I know I've seen one down the road. I feel so terrible about it! I had just gotten my first egg from Big Mamma! So sad.
Well now I have to make a decision because the ratio is terrible. I have two banty roos and one banty hen. They are only 41/2 months old but they already pester her. I can't start over with baby chicks right now even though I'd love to!
What do you think I should do? Give them to somebody that has a bigger secure cage? Mine is so small... it seems cruel not letting them free-range ever but I don't want them all to be hawk food! Is there a certain time of the day that hawks don't hunt? I can't expand the cage.. just can't afford it.
Anyway, just thought I'd get yalls opinions!
