First timer

[lorirpt]

We're first time chicken owners having just moved to the country. Our home came with a very large, well built coop so we went for it. We got 12 Golden Comets @ 14 weeks. They were all laying within a month and we decided to begin free ranging. We absolutely fell in love with these guys and watching them interact with our 2 beagles and 2 cats. All get along beautifully. We were letting them out in the morning and making sure they were in by dark. Sadly, yesterday at around 4pm. A hawk got one of our girls. Now we're afraid to free range as they were wondering throughout our 2 acres. We feel sad and mean but don't know what else to do.....NO ROOSTER

 

[blackdust951]

Hello and welcome to backyard chickens!i'm sorry your hen died thanks for joining us

 

[sannabelle]

Welcome!! Sorry about your hen

I've only lost one to a hawk- of course my favorite girl.

My LGD does a great job at warding off any predators- hawks included.

I've also heard of people putting up owl statues, and other hanging "repellents" to keep the hawks away.

 

[Kiki]

Welcome to Backyardchickens.com aka BYC!
We are so glad you joined our flock.

This video will help you learn how to navigate this site:

 

[drumstick diva]

That's the downside to free ranging - sorry.

 

[rjohns39]

Hi and welcome to BYC Sorry to hear about your girl--but predators are a reality for those of us with birds. That said, birds are pretty smart and are generally pretty good at hiding from predators. At least for the most part. I've lost two birds to hawks that were in a cage, both stuck their head out through the wire and lost it. As crazy as it sounds, I have a friend who uses a goose to protect his girls, my turkey's do the same. Crows will also keep hawks away.