Hawk Attack

[GentlyLiving]

So my girls are grown now and just starting to lay. They have been outside for months without a problem. I only let them roam around the yard when I am home, otherwise they stay in their enclosed run. I have two dogs in the same area so I haven't been really concerned with predators, but the dogs have just returned from spending a few weeks with my mother in law so they haven't been around lately.

Today the hens were out and I was inside. I just happened to go out the back door to take them some scraps and saw a hawk swoop down, talons out. I scared it away and the chickens really didn't seem overly upset so I think it was the hawks first attempt.

I have the girls in lock down now, but I am wondering if I am likely to see this hawk again. Did I scare it off for good? Will it stay away now that the dogs are back and in the yard more. How can I make sure my girls don't get picked off without keeping them in their pen all the time? I can't get a rooster much as I would like to, because as I said I live in a very suburban area. Any ideas are appreciated!

 

[chfite]

There is every likelihood that the hawk will return, having found the drive-in restaurant.

It seems to me that hens are oblivious to a lot of what goes on around them. My rooster watches out for them. When they are out foraging, he tends to stand in the midst of the area and appears to be watching the area in general. On occasion, strange, loud sounds have occurred and he sounded an alarm. The hens took off for cover.

Shelter for them seems to be a good start. I don't know how to prevent hawk attacks. My run has strings stretched over it to prevent a clean flight in and out. It seems to work.


The only dog that I have that would take on a hawk is the same one that would go after the chickens. The other dog pretty much ignores the chickens; and I doubt the he would do more than bark after the attack had occurred.

Chris

 

[ladyrsanti]

I've heard of the strings and I've heard of hanging cd's in the area but I'm not sure if either of those or anything else is foolproof. There was that video that went around recently of a hawk that would easily fly through holes big enough for its head to fit through so unless you have bird netting over your yard...

My chickens rarely leave the safety of the barn on their own. They prefer to do it when I'm there or they will follow the sheep out into the pasture. We do have a rooster (though I understand you can't have one) who does keep a watch. My pullets are also keen though, so I'm not sure he's the one and only guardian. I have seen them dart for the barn if the sandhill cranes fly over or if a pigeon comes to roost on the roof. I'm not sure what teaches them to fear shadows in the sky but mine seem to know. It might just take an attack to get them to be more vigilant, as much as I hate to say it.

 

[GentlyLiving]

Thanks for the advise. It seems crazy that this would happen right outside my back door!

 

[CAjerseychick]

So my girls are grown now and just starting to lay. They have been outside for months without a problem. I only let them roam around the yard when I am home, otherwise they stay in their enclosed run. I have two dogs in the same area so I haven't been really concerned with predators, but the dogs have just returned from spending a few weeks with my mother in law so they haven't been around lately.

Today the hens were out and I was inside. I just happened to go out the back door to take them some scraps and saw a hawk swoop down, talons out. I scared it away and the chickens really didn't seem overly upset so I think it was the hawks first attempt.

I have the girls in lock down now, but I am wondering if I am likely to see this hawk again. Did I scare it off for good? Will it stay away now that the dogs are back and in the yard more. How can I make sure my girls don't get picked off without keeping them in their pen all the time? I can't get a rooster much as I would like to, because as I said I live in a very suburban area. Any ideas are appreciated!

Well I was hoping the same thing-- we have a tree in the backyard where the chickens free range and I saw a hawk in that tree maybe a week ago. Then nothing-- was hoping the resident crows and our dogs would be enough-- just now looked out my living room window and right there in front of me was this enormous hawk! Weird thing he was in another tree adjacent to the backyard/ chicken yard....
SO I ran out to the yard -- and pleased to see not a chicken in sight -- my birds (16 pullet chicks, I hope, and 1Roo) no where in sight-- all in their covered run/ under the cardboard boxes I have for them to take cover in...
Here they come now (the hawk took off I saw him fly over our back field about 5 mins ago)-- they usually mob me when they see me I thought it was weird they didnt.... So it looks like I am in your boat...
For me, chickens need to "free range" even if it is just living the run door open so they can roam around the back yard but they have the back porch, the tree and a covered run is poultry wire top but its the left over remnant of a roll- maybe a 1/4 roll-- loosely unrolled, initially b/c sheer laziness, but now I realize its 3 ft of wire layers any bird would get tangled in trying to get through...
AM heartened by the fact that the birds (7 weeks with 3 eleven week olds) took cover, and that the hawk didnt return to the chicken yard but the area next to it.....

 

[3 Chicks]

I recently posted almost your exact same scenario. I am only letting mine out when I am in the backyard with them. I am counting on the fact that the hawk will be back!

Mine are not full grown...I may try again to let them free-range when they are fully grown. We have LOTS of hawks and osprey around since I live on a small lake. However, many of my neighbors have chicken and the hawks don't bother them.

It' scary to see a hawk coming for your chickens. Glad they're okay

 

[Missa Chickabee]

It must be the day of hawk attacks because a similar thing just happened to my girls today. I was on my way to the run when it swooped in......between the trees....to try to grab one of my 19. My roo is 7 mos and he sounded the alarm. All but one of the 17 wk old girls made it into the coop. My roo was worried about her and I was, too. she was the only one near the far end of the 50 X 25 foot run ( NO TOP !!!!!)
Anyway the hawk did not get her either. Somehow she got over the 6 foot fence (adrenaline?) and I had to catch her.

So now I have them all on lock-down. Worried. I want to have at least some of the run completely enclosed and as predator-proofed as their coop is, and then have lots of obstacles and trees in the open part.

I care about each one of those birds, but only the ones that distinguish themselves get names. So I 'd like to name my escapee. Boaz is my roo's name. Anyone care to make suggestions for names? "Lucky" is too common.

 

[GentlyLiving]

Yes it is scary! I'm glad everyone's ladies are ok though!
Missa - I would name her Hendley after the James Garner character in "The Great Escape"

 

[J-Sanders]

Quote: I would suggest Hilts. The one who jumped the fence in the Great Escape.

 

[BeulahBreezes]

How about RUTH or Naomi as a name for your lucky hen!