Female duck slit throat

[Altairsky]

I have yet to see the first hatchery recommend we trim their feathers from around their eyes and face.This enables them to do a better job.

Silkie is the wrong breed for a rooster protector. If there is a hawk problem, a large aggressive rooster who can kick a falcon into submission is required. The crest is the least of their problems.
Silkies are a defective breed, let's be frank.
Their vaulted skull and brain defects makes their intelligence below average. Their crest makes them almost blind. Their short legs makes them clumsy and bad at jumping and dodging, and they can't even fly. Their fluff is fragile and does not provide the armored feathers normal breeds have. There is no way a silkie rooster is gonna submit even the smallest predator. It's a breed specifically selected to be handicapped, like english bulldogs, dwarf horses and persian cats.
A rooster protector that can beat a falcon weights at least 3 kg, has no crest, no vaulted skull, hard and strong feathers, long and strong legs, and good wings that let him jump at least 5 feet into the air. That would be a true insurance against falcons.

 

[Appalachickens]

Some stories don’t end well
And once in awhile Lord willing some do

Is that a hawk? Did you just find it dead?

 

[Appalachickens]

While I am glad you found out what was attacking your birds I do feel I need to mention that it is a federal crime to kill coopers hawks, I would suggest preventive measures if more come by.

It's illegal to kill any raptor.

 

[horror_trashcan]

It's illegal to kill any raptor.

I am aware, for this person specifically I stated the hawk they killed is illegal and called it what it is, I'm not sure what your point is.

 

[Appalachickens]

I am aware, for this person specifically I stated the hawk they killed is illegal and called it what it is, I'm not sure what your point is.

I'm just noting that other chicken predators (like owls and eagles) are also illegal to kill, not disagreeing with you.

 

[McChooky]

It's understandable, I had my entire last flock (23 birds) killed by a weasel and not a single one was eaten save for a head or two, all injuries were to the head and neck several just had their throats torn out. It was an hour after I had checked on them and took about two hours for me to find out so they're not afraid to just attack and run quickly.

I'm sorry you lost your flock in such a horrible way. Did you ever catch the weasel that killed them?

 

[McChooky]

Silkie is the wrong breed for a rooster protector. If there is a hawk problem, a large aggressive rooster who can kick a falcon into submission is required. The crest is the least of their problems.
Silkies are a defective breed, let's be frank.
Their vaulted skull and brain defects makes their intelligence below average. Their crest makes them almost blind. Their short legs makes them clumsy and bad at jumping and dodging, and they can't even fly. Their fluff is fragile and does not provide the armored feathers normal breeds have. There is no way a silkie rooster is gonna submit even the smallest predator. It's a breed specifically selected to be handicapped, like english bulldogs, dwarf horses and persian cats.
A rooster protector that can beat a falcon weights at least 3 kg, has no crest, no vaulted skull, hard and strong feathers, long and strong legs, and good wings that let him jump at least 5 feet into the air. That would be a true insurance against falcons.

People who raise chickens need multiple layers of protection. A bird or prey isn't not going to eat chickens in front of a trained dog.

 

[horror_trashcan]

I'm sorry you lost your flock in such a horrible way. Did you ever catch the weasel that killed them?

No, I have since fortified my coop and have not had an issue yet. I'm sure if I tried I would catch a million little critters in the area.