Female duck slit throat

[McChooky]

This guy went after the chickens within 12 hours after he got the duck.
My son in law heard a commotion in the coop. Ran outside picked up a level
Ran in the chicken yard, which yes is covered, coopers hawk was on a hen
Took one look at Lee and didn’t know what hit him
That’ll teach ya. And yes I’m going to have to figure out this free range situation. Problem is I’ve got way too many hens and a small run

The Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act made it illegal to kill Hawks even if they're killing your chickens and ducks .Killing one could lead to you being charged with a misdemeanor, fined and incarcerated a year​

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[Betsyg16]

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.

Ya know what

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.

There are certain legal defenses that may be used in cases of unintentional hawk killings. These include self-defense, protection of livestock or property, or a permit issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for scientific, educational, or religious purposes.

 

[Betsyg16]

Ya know what

There are certain legal defenses that may be used in cases of unintentional hawk killings. These include self-defense, protection of livestock or property, or a permit issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for scientific, educational, or religious purposes.

 

[McChooky]

If you shot at a coyote and accidentally killed a hawk yes but seeing one on your hen and bashing it in the head no. Its been against the law for ages making it difficult to protect our chickens

 

[McChooky]

My coop and run is against the edge of the woods under a huge canopy of trees.Even when my chickens are out free ranging its hard for a hawk to see them unless it just happens to pass by

 

[Altairsky]

Upgrade to a rooster who actually do his job. Silkie roosters are pretty much useless. Get a large, aggressive rooster that can fight. My legbar boy for example is a hawk killer and he is ready to fight predators as large as dogs.

If everyone killed bird of prey because they attack their chickens, there would be no more birds of prey. I live near a national park, it's full of hawk and never had a problem. Get rid of your lazy fluffy rooster and get a real one. It's your rooster's fault if you lost birds, not the hawk. The hawk is just trying to survive.

 

[McChooky]

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

Training a dog to protect your flock and chase aerial and 4 legged predators off is an option. I haven't loss a single bird to hawks or 4 legged predators since training mine. Fish and Game wouldn't hesitate to arrest someone for killing a hawk that was never reported a threat.Sorry for your loss and hope trimming your roosters feathers around his face makes him a better flockmaster.It might save his life.

 

[McChooky]

Upgrade to a rooster who actually do his job. Silkie roosters are pretty much useless. Get a large, aggressive rooster that can fight. My legbar boy for example is a hawk killer and he is ready to fight predators as large as dogs.

If everyone killed bird of prey because they attack their chickens, there would be no more birds of prey. I live near a national park, it's full of hawk and never had a problem. Get rid of your lazy fluffy rooster and get a real one. It's your rooster's fault if you lost birds, not the hawk. The hawk is just trying to survive.

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.

 

[Callender Girl]

Alarm birds can be useful!

My Ameracauna cockerel was making the strangest noise Saturday -- and I finally realized the youngster was sounding an alarm because of a large bird of prey overhead, even though he and his girls were in their run.

It MIGHT have been an immature eagle; on Friday, the geese went crazy when two mature eagles flew over. They have a nest less than a half mile away. Fortunately, there's a large contingent of crows that hang out in some of my trees, and they delight in noisily running off the big birds.

 

[McChooky]

Alarm birds can be useful!

My Ameracauna cockerel was making the strangest noise Saturday -- and I finally realized the youngster was sounding an alarm because of a large bird of prey overhead, even though he and his girls were in their run.

It MIGHT have been an immature eagle; on Friday, the geese went crazy when two mature eagles flew over. They have a nest less than a half mile away. Fortunately, there's a large contingent of crows that hang out in some of my trees, and they delight in noisily running off the big birds.

Crows are cautious by nature and distrustful.I've never been able to bribe these with food, they fend for themselves and aren't impressed. Their intelligence is well studied and documented.They do tend to chase the hawks off here but they are annoyingly loud when present