Free ranging and hawks - do you accept the losses?

[webrx]

Seems no matter what you do you have to deal with a predator attack now and then. We have lost one girl to a Raccoon and one to a hawk in the last year. Both were leghorns, both were older girls. The rooster did get the other girls rounded up and stood between the hawk and them, also had a few scrapes when the raccoon got the other one. I don't think he is going to attack either, but he will put himself between the predator and prey. So my losses have not been huge, like I said only a couple in a year.

I have had the chickens locked down now for a couple weeks since the hawk attack, we have cleared out 30 feet in all directions around the coop and runs, weather has been rainy so they have not been too anxious to get out, but with spring in the air, they seem to be getting antsy to get back out to free ranging.

When I am working around the yard, I can let them out, but I am not always in direct eyesight of them or close enough that a hawk could not swoop in and there is always some risk.

So my question is, do you accept that nature has predators and prey and losses will occur as part of the chicken raising process, or do you go all out and spend hundreds, maybe thousands to protect your hens from predators?

 

[webrx]

Here is our current setup. I am in process of setting up the run and coop on the right for our 7 chicks which are pushing 5 weeks old now.

I am deciding if I want to start covering the 30 by 50 run area now, or just keep them in the enclosed runs. Would like to allow them to free range again but right now I am limiting it to when I am down by the coop.

Oh there are 8 girls and our rooster that live in the left coop and run, and 7 mixed (We think at least a couple roos) that will be in the right one for now. Eventually we will get rid of any extra roosters and just keep 1

 

[AinaWGSD]

Unfortunately, if you're going to free range it means you're going to have to be able to accept losses. Everything loves a chicken dinner and the wildlife was here first. Only 2 losses in a year is pretty good for free ranging.

we have cleared out 30 feet in all directions around the coop and runs

Cover would actually be helpful against hawks. You could set up a couple of pallets just high enough for chickens to get under to help determine hawk attacks.

 

[rural mouse]

Places to hide, places to escape. Bushes, bushes, bushes, and more bushes. Largish tree stump with a pallet leaning against it makes a fair spot and a good sentinel spot for the bird(s) keeping watch. Evergreen bushes are great for year round shelter.

they'll rest under the bushes even when leaves are down.

sentinel duty around the same bush. Usually at least one is on one of the boulders

Taller trees can also provide some protection

notice the rooster standing guard. When the ladies are finished with breakfast, 1 or more will take over while he eats. The rest will retreat under the bushes and the low sweeping branches of my Russian olive trees. They feel safer with overhead cover.

 

[webrx]

We do have multiple large trees around the coop and runs, I did not show that well in the pic, but they are starting to get leaves now which seems to help keep the hawks away.

Dave

 

[webrx]

Unfortunately, if you're going to free range it means you're going to have to be able to accept losses. Everything loves a chicken dinner and the wildlife was here first. Only 2 losses in a year is pretty good for free ranging.


Cover would actually be helpful against hawks. You could set up a couple of pallets just high enough for chickens to get under to help determine hawk attacks.

The problem with the cover was it was outside the run and the racoons were able to get close without being seen.

I will be setting up some places for the girls to hide in the open run though, thanks for reminding me.

 

[webrx]

We do have multiple large trees around the coop and runs, I did not show that well in the pic, but they are starting to get leaves now which seems to help keep the hawks away.

Dave

Trees are starting to leaf out. Also am rethinking the coop and run areas to level things out and provide a larger covered area.

 

[C Siena]

Unfortunately, if you're going to free range it means you're going to have to be able to accept losses. Everything loves a chicken dinner and the wildlife was here first. Only 2 losses in a year is pretty good for free ranging.


Cover would actually be helpful against hawks. You could set up a couple of pallets just high enough for chickens to get under to help determine hawk attacks.

Agree. We have a hawk nest at the back corner of our property and a third single hawk. We free range all day every day (except extreme frigid weather). The rooster has been good at alerting and we've been blessed with no attacks in 2+ years. I understand it could happen but we choose to let them out.
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