First time chick raiser - strange predator

[bdickey]

Being a first time chicken raiser I thought I needed to worry about dogs, cats, hawks, coon, possums, etc... but this was unexpected.

I decided to put my two 3 week old chicks out in the back yard for their first adventure in the grass. The idea was that I just wanted to see how they would react and then bring them right back in. Not 2 seconds after I put them in the grass did a large robin swoop down and start attacking them. One (the unfriendly chick) raced between my feet and looked up at me as if asking for me to pick her up. She never does that. She usually flaps her wings and protests when I come near her. The other chick bolted under the deck steps and waited for me to come get her.

I had no idea I needed to be worried about robins.

 

[GiddyMoon]

Hi, and welcome

I guess it would a good thing you were out there. I am sure you are now considered the parent.

 

[madamwlf]

It is nesting time for robins. So I could be thats/he saw the chicks as competition for food and nesting materials.

 

[Nambroth]

Robins are nesting right now! They perceive any larger bird as a threat to their nest, and will attack them. They weren't trying to attack your chickens for food... just driving them away. I bet you can probably find a nest somewhere in the vicinity of the attack!

One year I had my parrots outside with me and I didn't know there was a well camouflaged robin nest in the cedar at my parents house. Suddenly the robins were attacking my parrots, and they certainly weren't trying to predate them.

I moved away from the nest location and they calmed down.

 

[YYZ]

Hi Bdickey

from Maine

 

[benjoycei]

Hi from NC

feed it chopped up worms and caterpillars