First predator attack

[Sheltiepawz]

My chicks have been out in their coop for a week and a half. Today I looked out and a hawk was crashing at the windows trying to get the chicks inside the coop. Thankfully our Fort Knox held up. It did scare the chicks though. Crazy! I figured the Hawk would only try to attack from overhead, not try to get them in the coop. Here is a picture of the windows it was trying to get in.

 

[Arbutus Peregrine]

Wow, that's a determined hawk! I really like your coop!

 

[Sheltiepawz]

Wow, that's a determined hawk! I really like your coop!

Thank you! I know, very determined. My husband said that hawk must have learned that behavior and been successful at it before.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Are the windows glass? Screen? Hardware cloth?

 

[Arbutus Peregrine]

Thank you! I know, very determined. My husband said that hawk must have learned that behavior and been successful at it before.

That makes sense. I have Coopers Hawks that sit on my fence just five feet from the coop! Red Tail hawks circle above, too, but no one actually has been successful. We have been lucky, too, thank goodness!

 

[Folly's place]

Nice coop! And a very hungry hawk, maybe a juvenile. How good that your chickens were all inside!
Mary

 

[Sheltiepawz]

Are the windows glass? Screen? Hardware cloth?

Hardware cloth 1/2 inch. We are planning on building plexiglass windows to act as awnings. Will close occasionally in hurricanes and big rain events. We live in a very warm climate.

 

[Sheltiepawz]

Nice coop! And a very hungry hawk, maybe a juvenile. How good that your chickens were all inside!
Mary

The run is roofed also, so no way my chicks were in danger, right??? Can hawks reach through hardware cloth?

 

[townchicks]

Congrats on doing it right! Glad your babies were safe. I like your coop and run too.

 

[Folly's place]

You done good!!!
Your visiting hawk may be back and try again, or hope that you do let the flock outside. I'd keep them inside for a week at least.
Many raptors are migrating now, so there may be more action coming up.
Mary