Hawk Attack

[donnavee]

November always seems to be bad for us and hawks, but they normally go after the call ducks. I was going out to put the ducks & chickens in for the evening yesterday when I heard lots of commotion from the birds. I went down & saw the ducks all huddled in one spot & the chickens in another. I decided to walk around to the other side of the run & saw a bird fly from the ground to a nearby tree - my full grown Blue Wyandotte was lying lifeless on the ground. I think it was a Sharp Shinned hawk, I was surprised how small it looked compared to my chicken. I can't even figure out how she was killed as I saw no blood at all - I must have interrupted it before it started eating. This was the 1st time we have lost a chicken to a hawk as they always seem more aware of hawks than the ducks. Very sad as now I'm afraid the hawk is waiting to finish the meal it missed.

 

[BantamLover21]

I'm sorry for your loss.

 

[finnfur]

Sorry about the loss - Hawks are migrating south now. They were up here about two weeks ago for about 3 weeks .
Redtails . No losses in last two years but I watch this time of year. The crows alert me when they are present and I have scare hawks out now.
I think they constrict them with the talons is why you don't see much till they start feeding and then they peck at eyes first. At least that what I see from previous Redhawks kills.
Good luck.

 

[donnavee]

Yes, I think it was beginning to go for the head when I surprised it. We have been trying to be vigilant and thought we had things under control. However, we can't be with them all the time and can't cover their entire area. We do have lots of "safe" places but we think this girl just happened to be away from everyone else & got caught. We followed a small trail of her feathers and it looked like she came from the feeder area. I have moved the feeder inside now - not as convenient for them, but most probably safer.

 

[ClaireDL]

I've got several killed by hawks..They jumped on the chicken's back and cut their throat right away...that's why they can kill birds much bigger than them. I ended up fencing a large area and putting some nets on the top..That's the only way I was able to stop losing some to the profit of prey birds..Know that when an hawk comes once, it will come back again..so be on the look out!

 

[brightonchicks]

I have lost 2 hens in the past week, one just today. I got there just before it had time to start eating but a lot of feathers off the neck area and she had the hole in the top of her head where they pierce the brain with their talons to kill the chicken. This is the first time I have ever had this trouble since I started keeping chickens 2 yrs. ago so no more free ranging even though they are fenced in. We are going to try the criss crossing of fishing line and hope that will help. So sorry for you, I know what it feels like as they are my pets.

 

[ClaireDL]

SO sorry, it does hurt to see that....I've used the bird nets that normally prevent birds to eat fruits on trees, and hay strings thru it from the top of the coop to the fence line...It has been very effective as I saw a hawk getting tangle in it and having a very interrogative look before flying away.Since then, they don't come back..The hay string are colored which help them to see it..It is a lots of work, but totally worth it..I'll try to take a picture...I also stopped the free ranging as I was losing too many of them as well..( foxes, raccoons, neighbor's dogs, hawk...)...They go free ranging about an hour every evening under strict supervision. But their space is quite big anyway with plenty of grass.

Good luck

 

[BlueTannery]

My rooster unfortunately was killed last Friday, I suspect it was a hawk.
On a related topic, what would be the best way to deter future attacks?

 

[ClaireDL]

BlueTannery see my reply above....If an hawks came once, it will come back..best way is to fence them and put a net on the top..I've tried the fake howls...Even if you move them regularly, they will not prevent hawks attack.

 

[BlueTannery]

BlueTannery see my reply above....If an hawks came once, it will come back..best way is to fence them and put a net on the top..I've tried the fake howls...Even if you move them regularly, they will not prevent hawks attack.

Do you think it's possible to get an image of your setup? I'd like to see what exactly I'm modeling after. And you're sure an owl won't work? I've heard around that they can be very effective.