Chickens wanting to go outside!

calebc311

Songster
7 Years
Dec 31, 2013
88
6
106
East Bay California
Ever since I let my chickens out to free range a couple times, they can't stand it in their small run and they keep pacing near the door. They are really frustrated. I can't let them free range without my supervision due to the numerous hawks that live in my area. My backyard is outlined with various trees/bushes/foliage and a table for the chickens to hide in, but the threat of hawks is never disappearing. My chickens are around 4 months old now.
Also, when chickens are fully grown, will hawks still attack them?
thanks
 
We have lots of red tail hawks around here, last fall my husband spotted one sitting on the corner of the run watching our grown hens. I have no doubt we would have had lost 1 if not for the wire roof on the run. I don't let my girls out unsupervised either. They also beg to free range as well!
 
We have an owl that lives in the redwoods in our front yard. We also do not let our ladies outto free range unsupervised. We try to give them at least an hour every evening. We've been eating our dinner on the patio and they have learned to come and ask for food
Because one night last week my 16 year old kept throwing the veggies she didn't like down for them.

We also don't let our 5# dog out unsupervused because if the owl.
 
I have a Red Tailed Hawk who loved hanging aroud the yard
and I seen him inflict damage to one of my full grown Ganders
so chickens really do not stand a chance ....

I have some Ravens who hang around now and all they take
is an egg every now and then and in the spring the ravens will
go into the hen house for egg's but I guess that is the price I
have to pay for their security and the corn they pick up .....

My Ravens I found on craig's list as little baby's and out of five
I still have two who hang around .....
 
We don't let ours out to free-range, though they want to. As far as "wanting" things, I want a million dollars, but I'm not getting it! :p Hawks definitely will attack and kill full-grown chickens, We have a red-tailed hawk that lives in the field next door, a family of skunks that live in the wooded ravine on the other side, and a family of foxes across the road, all of whom would love an Easter Egger chicken dinner. The chickens are none the worse for wear, and do just fine in their covered run.
 

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