Two days ago my 16 and 17 year old sons were having a catch in the backyard. My American Bulldog was also out with them. I decided that since the guys and dog were outside, making noise, running around, etc., that it was a good time to let the girls free range for a while. They hadn't been out of the run for 10 minutes when I heard my sons yelling. I went outside and they told me that a big red tail swooped down right in between them, angling for one of the chickens - they said it was literally waist high off the ground. It banked and took off at the last minute, guess it had second thoughts. Since Friday it's been back with a friend- I see them up there circling, waiting. Ticks me off, but I guess they have to eat too, can't really blame them for doing what hawks do. The old farmer who sold me my two original chickens told me that spring into early summer, when they're raising young, is the time of highest predation by hawks. He says that he rarely loses a bird to a hawk at other times of the year. Of course, he has roos to send up the alarm.
