Has anyone actually had a hawk get a chicken?

[suebee]

Never had a hawk attack. I only have silkies and they all free range every day. I keep lots of bird feeders. The wild birds help the most, especially crows and blue jays. I live on 3 acres of mostly wooded land too. We do have hawks around but I have many hiding spots like under porches, decks, bushes, etc. The silkies mainly stay right around the house and coop. The wild birds at my feeders are worth their weight in gold. They tip off the chickens. Also have chicken protecting dogs.

 

[justmeandtheflock]

No, but the 1st time I put them out in the pen the hawk was there within 30 minutes. I put a cover on the next day. Hubby and DS watched the hawk pick a snake out of a pile of logs under tree cover so I don't under estimate them.

 

[theswede]

They will definitly take your whole flock if you let them!! When I first started in chickens in 96, I had a small flock of about 15 and their pen had no cover. Two red tails landed on the fence post and picked out which one they wanted then flew off with them! And then they came back, they then met my pellet gun! I couldn't kill them, they were just doing what came natural to them.

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

I've had it happen the first time I put my new flock out, 10 min after, got my best Hamberg roo, since then I have geese plus my chickens have learned to stick by the fences when the hawks circle and I keep my runs narrow and not in a line with a tree so the hawks have a hard time swopping.

 

[kathyinmo]

Will aviary netting keep them out? Building my run, and need to know! Thanks, Kathy

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

if you get snow, netting sucks

 

[astylishgirl]

Quote:
That is what I want to know.

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

if you get a hungry hawk or owl nothing will keep them out, had an owl rip out J clips on a movable pen/run to get in

out of sight out of mind is the only thing that works 100%

 

[Mahonri]

We had a hawk get a dove in our yard last week. IN THE MIDDLE OF EAST PHOENIX!

Was glad my chickens weren't free ranging.

 

[astylishgirl]

I had hopes of letting my chickens free range in the backyard every once in awhile. But I am such a worry wart. I can't let them be prey for a hawk!