Guess I got my right of passage as a chicken owner :(

[Morrigan]

Did it backfire to leave it the chicken?

At bottom, I really don't think it mattered. The hawk had already discovered your chickens and learned how it could hunt them. Whether it only got a taste, or enjoyed a large chicken meal, I think it will be back. The important thing now is to make sure it cannot get to them anymore.

 

[rosemarythyme]

What is the heavy duty netting that you are using?

I'm using a product similar to this one: https://www.amazon.com/Aviary-Netti...1159&sr=8-34&keywords=heavy+duty+bird+netting (on Amazon there's many brands/sellers at different price points). I do have some snowfall so I chose a 2" opening to allow the snow to cleanly fall through.

Now, I've seen photos where hawks still get in through netting but not sure if that's a case of the netting being too light weight, not well secured, or a really determined hawk? So I view this as a deterrent to aerial predators. Around here they have plenty of targets so they'll go for the easy meal rather than one they have to work at.

I thought maybe just the presence of a dog would be a deterrent?

Depending on the dog, it could just as much be a predator. A trained livestock guardian dog is different than a pet dog wandering around the yard. If I didn't have my chickens secured, I guarantee one of my dogs would've grabbed one already.

 

[ehoneybee]

I'm using a product similar to this one: https://www.amazon.com/Aviary-Netti...1159&sr=8-34&keywords=heavy+duty+bird+netting (on Amazon there's many brands/sellers at different price points). I do have some snowfall so I chose a 2" opening to allow the snow to cleanly fall through.

Now, I've seen photos where hawks still get in through netting but not sure if that's a case of the netting being too light weight, not well secured, or a really determined hawk? So I view this as a deterrent to aerial predators. Around here they have plenty of targets so they'll go for the easy meal rather than one they have to work at.



Depending on the dog, it could just as much be a predator. A trained livestock guardian dog is different than a pet dog wandering around the yard. If I didn't have my chickens secured, I guarantee one of my dogs would've grabbed one already.

Yeah, I don't really want a dog, especially if I have to try to keep it away from the chickens, too! I like that netting, but the chickens can still be seen frm the sky? We have a large amount of plastic I'd just like to reuse. We also get feets of snow so o think it's better to have it possible to cover on all sides. So sad but hopeful it will never happen again.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Yes the chickens can still be seen through the netting. The idea is that an aerial predator would bounce off the netting instead of being able to dive right in, get discouraged, and go eat one of the dozens of wild rabbits instead. I'm all for the hawks and owls hanging around to keep our rabbit population in check.

You can try other options but I really think birds of prey might be the least of your issues if you don't add more protection. There's always more predators lurking around than people realize, and they usually find out about it after it's too late.

 

[rubanr]

I thought maybe just the presence of a dog would be a deterrent?

I was about 25ft away and my 50lbs dog was about 15ft away when the hawk attacked. Granted she didn't know what to do when he attacked and I was the one running over to my save my chicken but neither me or my dog's presence deterred the hungry hawk

 

[ehoneybee]

I was about 25ft away and my 50lbs dog was about 15ft away when the hawk attacked. Granted she didn't know what to do when he attacked and I was the one running over to my save my chicken but neither me or my dog's presence deterred the hungry hawk

Ugh, so even having them free range when we're out is still unsafe? We're all out right now enjoying the warm spring weather and the girls are so happy!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Ugh, so even having them free range when we're out is still unsafe? We're all out right now enjoying the warm spring weather and the girls are so happy!

There's always still some risk but depending on your predator situation you need to decide if it's worth it or not in your case.

I had issues with a small hawk that attacked my hens in an uncovered run. After that we covered the run. It showed up again while I was free ranging my birds but because it couldn't actually pick up a chicken it flew away when I heard the hens' squawking and approached it. We've also had wandering dogs show up but again the dogs left as soon as they saw someone approaching, and no chickens were harmed.

On the other hand someone at my feed store told me that they had an eagle steal a chicken while they were standing across the yard from it.

 

[Trish1974]

Ugh, so even having them free range when we're out is still unsafe? We're all out right now enjoying the warm spring weather and the girls are so happy!

Anything can happen at any time. Never underestimate a hungry predator! A few years ago my neighbor had a fox come up and take a hen out of his yard while he was out doing chores. During peak predator seasons (fox in the spring/early summer and birds of prey in the fall) I watch over my flock while they're out foraging with my .22 slung across my back. I'm so glad people can't see my house from the road because I'm sure I look like a prison guard watching over the chain gang!

 

[ehoneybee]

Well it happened again! We enforced the hoop house and a stupid hawk (know it's definitely a red tailed hawk) got in the coop somehow and attacked our BO while the Wyandotte (our last surviving hen) paced back and forth frantically. Do hawks get on the ground and squeeze through small openings? I guess we were just being naive but everything we've read about how hawks attacks didn't mention squeezing through narrow spaces. We figured if the chickens couldn't get out, a hawk couldnt get it. We were all set to go to TSC and get a cage but it's closed for Easter :/

 

[Trish1974]

I am so sorry to hear that! I wouldn't have guessed hawks could squeeze into small openings either.