The chicken we lost to a hawk had it's head and top of breast eaten first. Think that there is a lot of fat accumulated there as well -- maybe why they go for that first -- ?? The hawk had also plucked out and left a large pile of feathers around the carcass. It was a late afternoon / early evening kill (sun still up). We have had other close calls with hawks since, but no other losses so far.
We'll usually keep the birds locked up in the covered coop/run for several days when a hawk starts hanging around -- the hawk will usually move on after a few days. Having an alert & wary hen or rooster to sound the alarm helps things, as well as lots of cover (bushes / brush, low trees, picnic tables, chairs, etc.) for birds to hide under whenever they spot a hawk. Lots of human activity in the area (working in garden / lawn, etc.) seems to discourage the hawks as well. None of these are 100% fool proof (except for total lockdown), but they will help.
I have only seen racoon signs / activity at night around here. No losses to them (yet) -- we try to make sure the birds are always locked up before sun is down.
We'll usually keep the birds locked up in the covered coop/run for several days when a hawk starts hanging around -- the hawk will usually move on after a few days. Having an alert & wary hen or rooster to sound the alarm helps things, as well as lots of cover (bushes / brush, low trees, picnic tables, chairs, etc.) for birds to hide under whenever they spot a hawk. Lots of human activity in the area (working in garden / lawn, etc.) seems to discourage the hawks as well. None of these are 100% fool proof (except for total lockdown), but they will help.
I have only seen racoon signs / activity at night around here. No losses to them (yet) -- we try to make sure the birds are always locked up before sun is down.
