Can a hawk lift a 6-7 pound chicken?

[babsh]

I'm gathering others' opinions on this. One person witnessed a hawk trying, unsuccessfully to carry off one of her silkies, so that sounds like a "no". But I know there are different sized hawks. Anyone else see a hawk carrying something 6+ pounds? What do you think?

Barb

 

[WoodlandWoman]

I think they're perfectly happy killing them and eating them on the ground, if they're too heavy to carry off.

 

[Faverolle]

A large hawk,like a redtail for example only weighs around 3-4 lbs. If I remember correctly they can usually only carry approximately 1/3 of their body weight at the most so I would say no. A lot of it depends on the type of bird and its wings. Owls and Redtails for example have larger, wide wings and can usually lift heavier prey objects compared to a falcon which has more narrow wings designed more for speed.

 

[babsh]

That helps, thanks. It must've been something 4-legged, cuz we found no body, just feathers.

 

[happyhensny]

A Red Tail got one of my Barred Rocks 2 weeks ago. It carried her a good 25 feet away. I know because I saw the pile of feathers then saw it, umm you know, her.

 

[B. Saffles Farms]

They can carry off alot bigger chicken than youd ever think. I know they can carry off a 5 or 6 lbs chicken.

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

They can take full grown adult Silkies before you can even grab the gun.... ask my friend. She's lost a few white Silkies before. Hence, mine are cooped and covered 24/7...

 

[spook]

Quote:
I agree. A hawk can swoop a hen right out of her pants. It is not uncommon for them to eat and then fly away with the rest. Not only that, but a Eagle that has a 6' wing span will have enough umph to life a turkey hen up and away.
There are larger hawks in my area that are larger then the red tailed.
If you have a hawk in your skies, there is atleast another near by...so put a cover on your pen- not just the plastic net type either, they can slice through them.

 

[ChooksChick]

The bigger hawks around here are Ferruginous hawks, and since birds of prey are known to be able to take prey half-again their own weight, I'm not at all surprised that chickens are reported to be snagged here and there. A normal Ferruginous female can be up to 5#.

Their main prey is the prairie hare, and they weigh up to 6+ #, so why not grab a chicken dinner that size?

If they can defend themselves against the prairie dogs and ferrets they eat, why not a domestic chicken?

I'm thinking cultivating a relationship with the crows around here is a really good move...

 

[happyhensny]

I have more big crows around here than I can count. Maybe the hawk scared them away...