So today we suffered our second loss to a predator this year. A hawk killed our 6 month old golden silkie bantam. Of course, my favorite little golden chicken ever. 
So sad. We live near a canyon and have seen hawks circling the neighborhood for the last 3 years and never had an attack but it seems like this time of year a lot of people have the problem. Also we have always just had Rhode Island Reds and the silkies seem to be an easier prey (smaller in size, look fuzzy like a mammal, bright orange on green grass etc).
So as of now I only have one hen, an adult RI Red. To be honest, I feel exhausted..this is our second death to a predator this year (first was a raccoon) and 3 young chickens that we adopted ended up being roosters (can't keep them here). My poor last hen just can't keep a flock and I can't take anymore deaths/roosters. But anyway, in the mean time I want to cover the area with a net, put cds on top, put fake owls etc but my question is should I keep her in the coop all day until then? Did we probably only have this attack because of the size difference? Of course I understand anything is possible, but I'm just curious what people's experience has been with hawk attacks on larger hens. I've read a lot of cases of pullets and bantams being attacked but do people have problems with their larger hens getting hawk attacks?
Thanks for the advice. RIP Sammie.
So sad. We live near a canyon and have seen hawks circling the neighborhood for the last 3 years and never had an attack but it seems like this time of year a lot of people have the problem. Also we have always just had Rhode Island Reds and the silkies seem to be an easier prey (smaller in size, look fuzzy like a mammal, bright orange on green grass etc).So as of now I only have one hen, an adult RI Red. To be honest, I feel exhausted..this is our second death to a predator this year (first was a raccoon) and 3 young chickens that we adopted ended up being roosters (can't keep them here). My poor last hen just can't keep a flock and I can't take anymore deaths/roosters.
But anyway, in the mean time I want to cover the area with a net, put cds on top, put fake owls etc but my question is should I keep her in the coop all day until then? Did we probably only have this attack because of the size difference? Of course I understand anything is possible, but I'm just curious what people's experience has been with hawk attacks on larger hens. I've read a lot of cases of pullets and bantams being attacked but do people have problems with their larger hens getting hawk attacks?Thanks for the advice.
RIP Sammie.
