falcon

[Chicken Heel]

Nope. They will snatch up a small puppy, or kitten who's standing right at your feet before you can even blink.

Sounded too good to be true. Thanks.

 

[centrarchid]

Having never had geese, I have been told their presence among other poultry will lessen the chances of raptor attacks due to their being on constant alert and hissing, etc. when one is spotted. Just curious if that is accurate.

It can work if intended victim is close to goose. Not going to work it raptor targeting goose.

 

[centrarchid]

Nope. They will snatch up a small puppy, or kitten who's standing right at your feet before you can even blink.

Have you seen this in person? Odds are witness was doing a lot of blinking and not paying attention to the world around. I have seen people, several at a time, walk down a sidewalk right past a Coopers Hawk that was walking on ground picking up sticks for nest. The people did not even notice the sizable bird with pretty gray coloration and fierce red eyes very close to their feet. I think that pattern represents the majority of people, even those keeping chickens. Lost connections to the world.

 

[Folly's place]

Often true. I can't understand people out walking, running, or biking while wearing ear buds, not listening to the actual world they are in at the time. Danger? Who would notice?
Am I alone in thinking this?
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

Sorry for the change in focus here.
Mary

 

[centrarchid]

I think raptor is Coopers Hawk, that and the smaller Sharp-shinned are most frequently called "falcons" when ID is in question. Peregrine and Prairie falcons are only falcons that are big enough to threaten chickens and I doubt either would try to initiate contact with chickens on the ground, especially when chickens are near structure.

 

[Chicken Heel]

Sorry for the change in focus here.
Mary

You are correct though. One of my greatest pleasures in life after I have finished mowing my lawn is sitting in the shade while watching and listening to my hens, song birds, crows, squirrels and even the occasional hawk, or if late in the day, owls. All animals have a purpose although I have a hard time figuring out what coyotes are good for.

 

[Folly's place]

If we didn't have coyotes here, we'd be hip deep in bunnies and rodents! I wish they also got muskrats and the woodchucks undermining my barn!
When larger predators were whipped out, coyotes moved into that spot.
Mary

 

[Chicken Heel]

If we didn't have coyotes here, we'd be hip deep in bunnies and rodents! I wish they also got muskrats and the woodchucks undermining my barn!
When larger predators were whipped out, coyotes moved into that spot.
Mary

I can't disagree but my feelings are skewed by losing a sweet dog to one a few years ago. A large male one came into my garage and took him.

 

[Folly's place]

So sorry! They are predators, and opportunists, and I have large breed dogs, fortunately.
Happily, we don't have wolves, bears, or (probably) cougars here.
Mary