Do I have to worry about predators during the day?

[here-a-cluck]

We live on a creek lot-fenced but the bars are about 4-6 inches apart. We have seen nearly everything in our backyard but mostly at dusk. Do I need to be worried about our hens ranging in the day also? Should I always be out with them when they are ranging? If so, what is the easiest wayto get them back in their coop?

 

[HEChicken]

I had a hawk land on my suburban fence just on Thursday. He was eyeing my little 6-week-olds, who fortunately were in a pen at the time. Pretty brazen too. He was watching me move around inside but stayed about 10 minutes until I finally went outside and scared him away.

 

[kees]

Unfortunately, yes.

 

[teach1rusl]

I would be LESS concerned about daytime predators, but they're still there. I would think hawks, dogs, and maybe cats would be your biggest concerns during the day... But if they're full grown then cats would be less of an issue...

 

[Mojo Chick'n]

I've had as many preds in the daytime as at night or dusk.

hawks, coyotes, neighbor dogs, cats, all are daytime predators.

meri

 

[fldiver97]

I have seen coyotes coming up yo the neighbors back porch at 11 am in the fall....Sometimes I see our resident barred owls during daylight hours too

 

[BlackBart]

Yes, a big Raccoon walked up my driveway at 12 noon one day during last Summer.
My Neighbor saw it, I was at work, he said the chickens scattered, nobody was killed.
I want to know where my dogs were? in the house, probably watching TV (Oprah?), must hide the remote.

 

[Wifezilla]

Hawks got 2 of my ducks. They are locked up at night. I had to build an aviary so they wouldn't get eat while out of the pen.

 

[Big C]

24/7

 

[here-a-cluck]

thank you all for your quick reply. If I want to let the girls free range how do I make certain they are safe?