Can't handle the hawk stress!!!

[CTChickenMom]

My parents have been feeding the crows in their yard and they don't even have chickens! What they have discovered is this...don't put the food in any kind of container as they are very suspicious. Don't go through any big effort to make something special (more suspicion). They found that they could lay out whatever scraps they had (like a chicken carcas) and it would be gone in no time. They didn't want sunflower seeds. Remember, crows are scavengers but they are very clever. I'd give nuts, your meat scraps, dinner's leftovers, etc. BECAREFUL! This could also lure in possums which also like a chicken dinner. My Dad snapped a pic of a possum eating out of his bird feeder! Was none too little either!

 

[J3172]

I always blame the predator, if a farmer has sheep and wolves are eating the sheep do you blame the owner or the wolf? To the OP if this hawk is that bold and has attacked you fowl over and over again I would call the dnr and have them remove the hawk.

 

[Bunnylady]

Quote:
I'm betting that the hawk won't be around much longer to be a problem for the OP. To disregard his own safety so flagrantly, this hawk had to have been either very desperate or very stupid. Either way, I suspect that he's going to be a meal for something else before long.

 

[coastaltx]

Didnt want to highjack this post again, and this is not directed at the OP, but........


Quote:
Well thats a pretty moronic statement. Lets see, animals that graze over dozens, hundreds or even thousands of acres, verses animals that are typically kept in areas dozens, hundreds or sometimes thousands of feet. Mmmm, BIG difference. To blame a wolf, for targeting an easy meal, dumb. Yes, the rancher has a small right to protect his investment, since they have NO WAY of containing a large herd of sheep. Plus, ranchers figure in x amount of loss each year, and they dont consider their sheep pets with names. The wolves were almost wiped out by folks protecting livestock and game animals and that led too deer and elk populations suffering. Now take the chicken owner, who owns 12 birds. They dont lock the birds in the coop one night. A coon reaches thru the fence and kills a hen. Coons fault? I think not. I see it on here weekly, where somebody lets their birds free range without watching, have a uncovered run, or unsecure coop then lose a bird or 2 or 10. Many folks blame the killer. Why? Cause its an easy out. Nobody wants to know that they were at fault of not protecting their birds. It would be horrible that THEY killed their poor, sweet chickens Molly, Lois and Tinkerbell. Lets just solve it the easy way and blow away the bloody pest! BAM! Take the blame, learn from the your mistake, its as easy as that. It really does not take much to secure birds, especially at night. A properly built coop, is very easy to make varmint proof. A little time and material is all it takes, but wait, thats work and many dont have time or knowledge... Then you have the folks who say they cant afford to fully protect their birds. Well, suffer the losses, or dont own chickens. Know this all sounds harsh, but its a fact of life. Yes, some coons, skunks and opossums can be very determined, as well as dogs, and there are times when the problem should be delt with. Killing every coon, skunk, opossum, fox, bobcat etc, that comes near ones birds is not the solution. It will only bring bigger problems later. Kill all the predators, and soon you will be over run with rodents, snakes and rabbits. Thru this whole thread, my few posts had just one thing to say, protect your birds! One more thing, DNR will not remove a bird of prey for killing or harassing any livestock. Golden Eagles kill cute sweet baby lambs every year...Bah

 

[coastaltx]

"I'm betting that the hawk won't be around much longer to be a problem for the OP. To disregard his own safety so flagrantly, this hawk had to have been either very desperate or very stupid. Either way, I suspect that he's going to be a meal for something else before long."

Typical brazon hawk behavior. Only thing that is going to kill it, is lead poisoning from the pellets in its breast...I couldnt resist.

 

[redhen]

Quote:
Well thats a pretty moronic statement. Lets see, animals that graze over dozens, hundreds or even thousands of acres, verses animals that are typically kept in areas dozens, hundreds or sometimes thousands of feet. Mmmm, BIG difference. To blame a wolf, for targeting an easy meal, dumb. Yes, the rancher has a small right to protect his investment, since they have NO WAY of containing a large herd of sheep. Plus, ranchers figure in x amount of loss each year, and they dont consider their sheep pets with names. The wolves were almost wiped out by folks protecting livestock and game animals and that led too deer and elk populations suffering. Now take the chicken owner, who owns 12 birds. They dont lock the birds in the coop one night. A coon reaches thru the fence and kills a hen. Coons fault? I think not. I see it on here weekly, where somebody lets their birds free range without watching, have a uncovered run, or unsecure coop then lose a bird or 2 or 10. Many folks blame the killer. Why? Cause its an easy out. Nobody wants to know that they were at fault of not protecting their birds. It would be horrible that THEY killed their poor, sweet chickens Molly, Lois and Tinkerbell. Lets just solve it the easy way and blow away the bloody pest! BAM! Take the blame, learn from the your mistake, its as easy as that. It really does not take much to secure birds, especially at night. A properly built coop, is very easy to make varmint proof. A little time and material is all it takes, but wait, thats work and many dont have time or knowledge... Then you have the folks who say they cant afford to fully protect their birds. Well, suffer the losses, or dont own chickens. Know this all sounds harsh, but its a fact of life. Yes, some coons, skunks and opossums can be very determined, as well as dogs, and there are times when the problem should be delt with. Killing every coon, skunk, opossum, fox, bobcat etc, that comes near ones birds is not the solution. It will only bring bigger problems later. Kill all the predators, and soon you will be over run with rodents, snakes and rabbits. Thru this whole thread, my few posts had just one thing to say, protect your birds! One more thing, DNR will not remove a bird of prey for killing or harassing any livestock. Golden Eagles kill cute sweet baby lambs every year...Bah

i guess that you need to go back and read the BYC rules of the forum...

 

[chickerdoodle]

You had a crazy experience and I hope one I don't have to deal with myself. Its so scary but it is the normal order of the food chain--we may not like it but its true. We are responsible for bringing in an unnatural amount of easy prey into the predator's natural habitat. Some predators, like coyotes, however are gaining in numbers due to this unnatural prey phenomena and may need to be controlled. They are not as uncomfortable in more urban areas and clever enough to get that easy chicken, cute kitty or smaller dog for dinner

. It is our duty to remain ever vigilant for our pet's safety and I have learned enough to be so when I get my chicks too. If I lose one I will kick my own..you know what... and not the predator's. I had to add netting to my pond because the local Blue Heron found our pond. I was so mad at the Heron but then I realized I was the bad guy here for not thinking of it. We just put in a bigger pond but this time we are getting the floating netting so it doesn't look ugly but keeps the fish safe. A hard lesson learned. I know its my responsibility to protect my charges and I am not going to blame a predator if I make a mistake. The stories I've read on BYC have made me more prepared to avoid this and I thank everyone one of you for posting them!! So thank you!!

 

[kayri]

I think this topic has illustrated all of the great things about BYC forum. It: 1) educates all of us by allowing us to read and share each other's experience -- who would think a hawk would hunt full grown hens under a deck!!?? 2) is a great way for us to give advice to each other-- keep your chickens safe, there are unrelenting and skillful predators out there! 3) allows us to vent-- $%%%##@!!! hawk! 4) allows us to share in each other's triumphs - hawk is foiled again and Adele is safe- YES!! 5) allows us to share in each other's sorrows-- thanks for all the kind words about finding Atanya's body. . . also thanks for all the compliments on my rambling writing style. . .
Kay