First loss from a hawk.

[crystalsc]

We had our first chicken loss yesterday. It was a hawk. I have felt so incredibly sad. Our chickens are pets. I know I’ll feel better soon and that it’s just nature, but I can’t help feeling sad.
I just needed to say this in a space where people are more likely to get it.

 

[SilverBirds]

So sorry for your loss.

 

[lafinestra66]

I'm so sorry for your loss. I just lost four to a neighbor's dog so I feel your pain.

 

[Folly's place]

I'm so sorry, it's hard to loose any of them.
Your hawk will return, so keep your birds in their predator proof coop for at least ten days, maybe longer, until that bird moves on elsewhere. We've had to keep ours in for three weeks or longer at times, when we've had a very persistent hawk.
Mary

 

[GravityWaves]

Sorry about the loss of your bird. The hawk is a juvenile Cooper's Hawk. I've also had some close calls this year. A couple weeks ago I saw a Bald Eagle near the road in someones front yard, got closer and it was standing on a chicken it had just killed!

 

[alinas2010]

I’m so incredibly sorry. You’re never alone here. I hope that you can find even the tiniest bit of comfort in memories and pictures of your precious chicken. Did she or he have a name? Feel free to share pictures or memories if you want to.

There is such a fine line between the beauty of hawks and the anger and hurt they cause. I’m sorry you have had to experience both. I often have a false sense of security about hawks because we live inside of a small city, but I’ve come outside to see them stalking my girls a few times. What I mean to say is that it can happen to anyone no matter our circumstances or how great our intentions are. Don’t be hard on yourself.

 

[crystalsc]

I'm so sorry for your loss. I just lost four to a neighbor's dog so I feel your pain.

I’m so sorry for yours. Three of ours survived a dog attack in April, and maybe that gave me false confidence. It can be very traumatic.

 

[crystalsc]

I'm so sorry, it's hard to loose any of them.
Your hawk will return, so keep your birds in their predator proof coop for at least ten days, maybe longer, until that bird moves on elsewhere. We've had to keep ours in for three weeks or longer at times, when we've had a very persistent hawk.
Mary

Thank you for the advice. I wonder if he’d be back around now that he knows there is potential food.

 

[crystalsc]

I’m so incredibly sorry. You’re never alone here. I hope that you can find even the tiniest bit of comfort in memories and pictures of your precious chicken. Did she or he have a name? Feel free to share pictures or memories if you want to.

There is such a fine line between the beauty of hawks and the anger and hurt they cause. I’m sorry you have had to experience both. I often have a false sense of security about hawks because we live inside of a small city, but I’ve come outside to see them stalking my girls a few times. What I mean to say is that it can happen to anyone no matter our circumstances or how great our intentions are. Don’t be hard on yourself.

Thank you for the kind words. Her name was Boudica and we called her the comic relief of the gang because she had the most personality.

 

[tlcmurphy]

So very sorry for your loss. We’ve had 3 hawk attacks over the years (no fatalities or serious injuries), and many more hawk recon missions. The hawks WILL be back, I only free-range when I’m at home now