Free Range, Roosterless, and Aerial Predators

[Juise]

Okay, here is that blog post with the promised picture of the area. Too sparse not to cover? Or too hard to tell

Get Ready for Chickens

 

[wood&feathers]

Since when is tree cover considered protection from raptors? I thought they just gave convenient perches for the hawks to browse the available prey! We have 108 acres, of which only maybe 1/2 acre is clear. The area around our house and coop is heavily wooded. We have lost 1 chicken to a Cooper's hawks, 2 to an owl, and our rooster has had his comb "pierced" in a scuffle with a raccoon.

Two of the losses were my fault. We got home maybe 30 minutes after sunset and hadn't buttoned them up before leaving, and the dog was with us. The one hawk attack was a youngster and occurred in the middle of the afternoon with all of us outside.

The best defenses are #1 - covered run where the hens can be locked up yet have room to do their thing. #2 - a hyper devoted flock guarding dog