EMERGENCY!! HAWK ATTACK!! **update pg. 3**

[lisahaschickens]

I almost moved to Bellingham instead of Vancouver, but we ended up finding a place we liked better here... it's beautiful there, though. Will you stay in Bellingham?

LADY B UPDATE:

Tonight around 7:30pm I found her perched on the corner edge of the box she was in. That meant that she felt well enough to fly up to it and also that I could no longer keep her contained. So, I sat with her a bit and decided to try her out in the coop and see how it goes. IF she looked weak or got attacked, I would grab her and bring her back in. I took her out there, let her stand on my lap and watch everyone for a few minutes, then I put her down on the coop floor with everyone else. They all acted like nothing had happened. I say with them for about 30 minutes and she ate from the feeder, drank from the waterer, stepped on some groups of chickens and snuggled in to sleep with them. She also got up and flew back onto my lap for a while. All seemed well. I left them alone for a bit and came back a little later to check and everything was just fine and Lady B even flew up onto the ramp by the door (probably about 2.5 feet high) to greet me like she always does. One little roo pecked her once at the feeder and it scared me at first but then I realized he was being a pain in the butt and pecking everyone at the feeder. Then I went out again just now (at around 10:30pm) and checked one last time and all seemed to be well and normal. Again, one pullet pecked her for being in the prime warm spot under the light but when she jumped away, the pullet just laid down under the light to bask, so no particular picking on her. I am hoping at this point, that it is business as usual and nothing will change overnight. I'll give you an update in the morning.

Thanks again for all the support!

 

[Up-the-Creek]

I posted on one of your other threads last night,..I am so glad to hear she is doing well. Congrats!

 

[jjthink]

So glad your girl is doing well!
JJ

 

[lisahaschickens]

thanks, guys. She is up this morning and all is well with her staying in the coop and being with everyone else. She stayed back in the coop when I opened the doors into the (covered and secure) run this morning, but I don't blame her for being shy about it. The others are dying to free range and I am hesitant... might the hawk be waiting nearby for me to let them out again? How close to a human will a hawk strike? If I stay right with them (within several yards - they like to spread out), will it be ok or might the hawk be bold and try anyway?

 

[jjthink]

The hawk will in all likelihood be back. You will have to keep an eagle eye for awhile. Some hawks will strike with a human nearby. Others are more circumspect about the idea. If you see one, you will have to put up a fuss so it decides it's too aggravating to linger. That's what I do to the hawks that dare to visit - clap hands loudly and yell it off (I do not wish to harm them, I just want to strongly discourage them from making a meal out of my feathered friends) - it can take several minutes but usually they get annoyed with me and leave! I still have to pretty much stand over my birds though, except when they are in their covered run.
JJ

 

[lisahaschickens]

gotcha, thanks. My friend who works for the national zoo and has had issues with hawks, owls, etc attacking endangered birds like cranes said that I should leave them in their run totally for at least a couple of days so that the hawk gets bored with the idea and goes to hang out elsewhere to look for a meal. That doesn't mean it or another won't eventually come back, but she says the danger right now is a lot higher.

Do you agree with this? My babies are DYING to get out of the run and free range a bit and I am totally nervous to let them, even if I'm right there. I was considering the same as you mentioned. If I let them out, I could run around jumping, clapping, yelling for a bit to scare/annoy the bird into reconsidering any attack plans.... but maybe I should still wait a day or two...

 

[jjthink]

Ideally they should stay in the run for some days to discourage the hawk but I hear you - mine bellyache to get out too! If they are really miserable, maybe you can split the difference by giving them 2 short periods daily out and about under your close supervision - hopefully the hawk will not come by during the short outing anyway and hopefully your birds will feel somewhat satiated. You may have to put interesting things in their run for when they are lured back in - sunflower seeds scattered, bits of cut up berries, etc. Then going back in will be associated with something desirable. Mine will follow me anywhere when they see me with the little white cups I carry their treats in - that's how I get them back in the run. By offering 2 short outings (if you're able) they will come to know that after the first one there will eventually be another they can look forward to. Good luck!
JJ

 

[chickenannie]

You may already know this, but I've heard some people buy a large plastic owl and attach it to a roof near the chickens... since owls prey on hawks it is a deterrent to hawks.

 

[lisahaschickens]

Hi JJ -

Yes, that will be my plan. That's how I've been doing it anyway... only short outings when I can be with them. I only walked away (and not far) for a minute or two and the attack happened

Anyway, They all come out for a while them put themselves away and then later in the day I go out again and let them out again and we do the same thing. Usually they just going back in after a time, but sometimes I have to kinda chase them in. I've tried treats, but mine all prefer free-ranging to treats and abandon the treats for the fresh, green grass and bug every time...

Anyway, I'm trying to keep them in today (they were in all day yesterday too) and we'll see. I tied up some broccoli for them to play with and they love that. And sometimes I dig up grass and worm clumps and toss them in the run for them. After today, we'll see.

Thanks for the advice

Chickenannie -

Thanks for the advice, and I will consider it, but I've read on the forum on other posts that the plastic owls seem to scare the chickens more than the hawks. who knows... I will certainly consider it.