HAWK Attack! I'm SOOO distraught. *UPDATE #2 re: Survivor* see post#1

[melloladies]

oh Kathy! I saw your post earlier and was so glad to hear that two came home when I checked back in!
Sorry for the loss of the other two though

 

[ADozenGirlz]

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Thanks J. It was a major relief to see them standing on the outside of the run, looking in at their friends.

 

[weesy68]

What part of CT are you in? Benedicts (Agway) of Monroe has gorgeous Ameraucanas, I got two a few months ago from them. I'm in Stratford, btw. Do they mature later on average? My girls are finally squatting for me, they are at least 25 weeks, I've actually lost count of their exact age. I got them at 15 weeks during the summer, they still had some the last time I was there for feed.

So sorry for your loss, I understand completely how devastating this is.

 

[ADozenGirlz]

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I'm in Suffield. Thanks for that information. It's good to know. And thanks for the kind words.

 

[gsim]

I see that you free range yours. Flock losses to preds are inevitable if practicing free-ranging. What will help is for you to have a lot of places that they can run under. They usually spot the pred before they are hit and will scat under something if it is available. I would pay attention to the width of openings for these hideouts as you build them. Hawks are mostly bigger and are hesitant to go way back into a tight space with a small entrance. Not that they wouldn't, but with yours always ducking under one of those, they will be more likely to shop elsewhere. Another thing that they do not like is bright reflective objects such as CD discs, ribbons of mylar, streamers, spinners, etc. Silver is best color from what I have been reading.

See 'My BYC Page' to get a look at how I did my run after a hawk killed (but did not eat) one of mine.

Gerry

 

[Crabman]

Sorry for your losses. I also lost a couple to hawk attacks and it changes your outlook on everything. I am now reluctant to let them free range unless I`m out there. My 2 large roosters did nothing to defend the flock or deter the hawks. I`m happy to hear some of your strays came home.

 

[CMV]

Glad to hear a few showed back up. Hawks are my bane. My most successful predators, so far. I used to love the sight of them, but now I dread it.

 

[ADozenGirlz]

Thanks Crabman. And thanks for checking back in CMV.
We actually took an uninteded visit to Cabelas today and bought a fake owl. We're going to put him out back and see if that helps at all. Can't hurt, right? And for $15.00, the price was right.
I am gun shy about letting them free-range but I think I'll be more careful about when and how in the winter months when there is less foliage under which they can hide.

 

[abluechipstock]

keep them penned up in the winter, i had to do that at my old house, the hawk didn't bother them in the summer, i guess there was other stuff to eat, sorry for your loss

 

[new chick 203]

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I hear that works best in you move it often. I'll be curious to see if it works.