FOGHORN LEGHORN~ "Lookit here son, I say, I say son, did ya see that hawk after those hens? ....

[troy1]

Golden Sebright bantam. He thinks we weighs 40 pounds.....

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Golden Sebright bantam. He thinks we weighs 40 pounds.....

Love him!

Hey are they smaller than a serama or a tad bigger? he looks a tad bigger in the pic but what do I know lol

 

[Flora Vale Fowl]

Just read through this entire tread, primarily because I was so stunned to see folks suggesting killing hawks and raptors. I guess as a birder and naturalist and chicken owner, I assumed most folks understood the raptor's place in the environment and didn't see them so harshly. As it it, I am terribly grateful for the Falconer stepping in with some read input and advice and info. I have assisted falconers several times and had the delight to go on hunts, etc. We are deep birders, and have love and admire all the ones in our mountain side yard, both the ones we feed, the ones in the coop, and the pair of Sharp Shinned Hawks who have nested just this year, right on our property. We will take the precautions on our run and coop for predators, both feathered, furred, and human. However, should we lose a bird, especially to a raptor while the flock is free ranging, I will never curse nor harm the raptor. I would chase it off, and, just as I do when we occasionally trap a coon, convince it I am large crazy monkey (I am actually) who would harm it, but I don't have any need to. I never curse the wasp who stings me, nor the tick who bites me (despite bad lyme disease) or even the raptor who kills a chicken of mine. Only humans, thinking, rational, intelligent humans, have no excuse for ignorance or violence. Let me clear, I am a hunter, an outdoorsman, and naturalist. I am not opposed to taking animals for meat, or eliminating a pest, (such as mice and their big cousins, groundhogs), but hating a predator for being what they are...well, that is a animal instinct that humans should leave to the crows and martins. I'll fence my run, put a top on it, and enjoy the hawks.

 

[youngchooklover]

I can't read it all

.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Just read through this entire tread, primarily because I was so stunned to see folks suggesting killing hawks and raptors. I guess as a birder and naturalist and chicken owner, I assumed most folks understood the raptor's place in the environment and didn't see them so harshly. As it it, I am terribly grateful for the Falconer stepping in with some read input and advice and info. I have assisted falconers several times and had the delight to go on hunts, etc. We are deep birders, and have love and admire all the ones in our mountain side yard, both the ones we feed, the ones in the coop, and the pair of Sharp Shinned Hawks who have nested just this year, right on our property. We will take the precautions on our run and coop for predators, both feathered, furred, and human. However, should we lose a bird, especially to a raptor while the flock is free ranging, I will never curse nor harm the raptor. I would chase it off, and, just as I do when we occasionally trap a coon, convince it I am large crazy monkey (I am actually) who would harm it, but I don't have any need to. I never curse the wasp who stings me, nor the tick who bites me (despite bad lyme disease) or even the raptor who kills a chicken of mine. Only humans, thinking, rational, intelligent humans, have no excuse for ignorance or violence. Let me clear, I am a hunter, an outdoorsman, and naturalist. I am not opposed to taking animals for meat, or eliminating a pest, (such as mice and their big cousins, groundhogs), but hating a predator for being what they are...well, that is a animal instinct that humans should leave to the crows and martins. I'll fence my run, put a top on it, and enjoy the hawks.

Hi floraVF, Welcome to BYC! I love your Avy, very cute. I am not sure where you were so stunned on the thread, I didn't think the majority had these suggestions for killing at all and I certainly feel the frustrations. I have gained a lot of info from others on suggestions and ideas for keeping a flock safe and giving them a chance to forage freely as well. I can say that so far with a few minor changes and additions I haven't seen the hawks back to my property. I think its awesome you can get stung by a bee and not curse as well, I certainly need to take a short course on curbing my tonged! I was actually just stung by a WFhornet and I swear I created a black cloud of swear words surrounding my entire being! OMGAWD it hurt so bad! Heck my chickens peck me so hard sometimes I swear to put them in the pot on the spot! I also appreciate the falconer joining us, I also know that most animals can be scared by something and if someone has some tricks to share I will certainly give them a chance if there is any sense in them. Again, Thanks for your input and glad you found BYC! Welcome!

Edited because I cant spell your! LOL

 

[Shellz]

I would never suggest that someone should kill a protected species of any animal! I appreciate the beauty of nature as well as what it can provide for us. I've got Cooper's hawks, but for the most part, they're being chased in the sky by crows, ravens & other wild birds that don't want them near their nests. It remains to be seen what will happen when nesting season ends. Apparently robins will raise up to 3 clutches a season though.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

I would never suggest that someone should kill a protected species of any animal! I appreciate the beauty of nature as well as what it can provide for us. I've got Cooper's hawks, but for the most part, they're being chased in the sky by crows, ravens & other wild birds that don't want them near their nests. It remains to be seen what will happen when nesting season ends. Apparently robins will raise up to 3 clutches a season though.

 

[CaCO3]

Just read through this entire tread, primarily because I was so stunned to see folks suggesting killing hawks and raptors. I guess as a birder and naturalist and chicken owner, I assumed most folks understood the raptor's place in the environment and didn't see them so harshly. As it it, I am terribly grateful for the Falconer stepping in with some read input and advice and info. I have assisted falconers several times and had the delight to go on hunts, etc. We are deep birders, and have love and admire all the ones in our mountain side yard, both the ones we feed, the ones in the coop, and the pair of Sharp Shinned Hawks who have nested just this year, right on our property. We will take the precautions on our run and coop for predators, both feathered, furred, and human. However, should we lose a bird, especially to a raptor while the flock is free ranging, I will never curse nor harm the raptor. I would chase it off, and, just as I do when we occasionally trap a coon, convince it I am large crazy monkey (I am actually) who would harm it, but I don't have any need to. I never curse the wasp who stings me, nor the tick who bites me (despite bad lyme disease) or even the raptor who kills a chicken of mine. Only humans, thinking, rational, intelligent humans, have no excuse for ignorance or violence. Let me clear, I am a hunter, an outdoorsman, and naturalist. I am not opposed to taking animals for meat, or eliminating a pest, (such as mice and their big cousins, groundhogs), but hating a predator for being what they are...well, that is a animal instinct that humans should leave to the crows and martins. I'll fence my run, put a top on it, and enjoy the hawks.

 

I feel nothing for ticks. The find their final resting place secured between 2 layers of clear tape, as I contemplate submitting them for testing. Albeit, I live in CT. As for the hawks, raccoons, etc., I try to appear as menacing as possible and fence + cover my birds. I'd have to bare hand the combat, as the most heat I pack is a pepper blaster.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Quote: you can send them in for testing? I never knew that! we have them like mad! I have to spray where the kids play biweekly! and they still get them! we have nightly checks! I was told to free range the hens but neighbor has cats ugggg

 

[CaCO3]

Yup.

http://www.ct.gov/caes/cwp/view.asp?a=2837&q=480248

http://cvmdl.uconn.edu/service/tick.php

http://www.tickencounter.org/

Generally, for Lyme disease you only need to worry if its a female deer tick that has been on for more than 24 hours. And treatment is megadoses of antibiotics.