Hawk just killed all 5 of my chickens

[HollyBird24]

Hawks don't normally take 5 chickens at once, are you sure it wasn't something else? Like a dog?

 

[aoxa]

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That wouldn't help against a hawk either. If you free range you have to take your chances.

 

[aoxa]

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Yeah

That's what I thought..

 

[HollyBird24]

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That wouldn't help against a hawk either. If you free range you have to take your chances.

x2 Back when I had a large flock, the rooster or a dominant hen would sound an alarm when they spotted a hawk, crow, raven etc and the rest would run for cover.

 

[aoxa]

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I have heard of hawks taking small dogs. Be careful.

The bald eagles have taken family dogs and cats around it's nesting site. When visiting my grandparents I witnessed two of them circling my two small dogs. I quickly got them closer to me.

 

[aoxa]

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That wouldn't help against a hawk either. If you free range you have to take your chances.

x2 Back when I had a large flock, the rooster or a dominant hen would sound an alarm when they spotted a hawk, crow, raven etc and the rest would run for cover.

I love watching them do that when they see a very large crow. My rooster is such a good watch.

He won't win against a hawk, but he will warn them. I'm so glad the biggest hawk we have is very small around here. We have to worry more for walking predators or nocturnal ones (like owls). Bald eagles are around here as well, but thankfully not in my village. I've seen a small hawk twice. The chickens all took cover and it just flew on by. It was far too small to take any of my LF hens. The silkies might have an issue.