Hawk took two babies.

[Hessk]

I'm so sorry for your loss
I have problems with hawks too.
Do you already have a rooster?? If not you should keep one of the little guys and raise it! Roosters tend to look for hawks and generally be more aware than hens! I loved my rooster they are very sweet if handled often when they are little

Unfortunately, we are not allowed roosters in our zone. Our lab does a very good job keeping hawks away but he is spoiled and gets to come inside to the AC most of the day. Thank you for your kind words!

 

[Hessk]

Don’t beat yourself up over it, these things happen. Think of it like this- now you know, and you can fix the problem before it gets out of hand.

Yes, thank you. This was my first time hatching babies and after dedicating the last month to raising them it just sucks. I was in shock when I looked out and saw that red hawk taking one of them. I keep trying to tell myself that i’m a “farmer” now and these things happen.. ha!

 

[Henriettamom919]

I'm so sorry, I'd be heartbroken for a bit, too Our local friends put out a few convincing scare crows and owl decoys and moved them each night for a few days and that seemed to help. Is that an option?

 

[Hessk]

I'm so sorry, I'd be heartbroken for a bit, too Our local friends put out a few convincing scare crows and owl decoys and moved them each night for a few days and that seemed to help. Is that an option?

Yes! I was just looking at the owl decoys this morning at the feed store. We’re going to try that.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

You should have never let the young ones free range. That is two easy for the hawks and other predators. I first took my chickens outside when they were about 3 weeks old...and I put them in a cage that was about 1 1/2 by 2 1/2 or maybe a little bigger. It worked perfectly until they were around 8 weeks. Then I put them to a bigger cage when they were outside and soon after that they were in their permanent coop. Sorry this happened.

 

[chkva]

You can string up fishing line or some type of string all over the 3/4 acre. It'll keep them out, but it's not 100% fail proof, thats what I did because I had a raven recently steal my Ameraucana. My friend gave me that tip and she's been doing it for 10 years. She has hawks and eagles that live on her pond, but they've never gone after her chickens with the string up. Her chickens know to go under the string when they hear or see any sky predators.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I'm sorry this happened, too. Last year four of our Buff Orpingtons hatched out 8 babies between them. Only four made it to adulthood, even with their mamas, a manly rooster and a yappy Sheltie standing diligent guard over them. It just happens, it's the Circle of Life. That doesn't make it any easier, I know. But as others have said, our losses teach us how to make our next batch of babies more secure. Threats abound from above and below. If not hawks, it's snakes, or raccoons, weasels, owls, the neighbor's cat or sometimes even our own dogs. Or disease or cold or heat can take them! It's a battle, but one we are determined to win. Because we just love the little beggars. So gird up the loins of your heart, dry your tears, and on into the battle. You're scarred. That makes you one of us.

 

[Hessk]

I'm sorry this happened, too. Last year four of our Buff Orpingtons hatched out 8 babies between them. Only four made it to adulthood, even with their mamas, a manly rooster and a yappy Sheltie standing diligent guard over them. It just happens, it's the Circle of Life. That doesn't make it any easier, I know. But as others have said, our losses teach us how to make our next batch of babies more secure. Threats abound from above and below. If not hawks, it's snakes, or raccoons, weasels, owls, the neighbor's cat or sometimes even our own dogs. Or disease or cold or heat can take them! It's a battle, but one we are determined to win. Because we just love the little beggars. So gird up the loins of your heart, dry your tears, and on into the battle. You're scarred. That makes you one of us.

Thank you for your sweet and comforting message. I really appreciate it

 

[wild chick]

I'm sorry for your loss. I free range in remote country and 3 hens have raised 4 clutches. After one week in the broody pen I let the momma take them wherever they want. I've not lost any. We have lots of hawks in surrounding area, but very few overhead because we have a nesting pair of ravens that live here. They are diligent about keeping hawks out as the hawks will take raven chicks right out of the nest. I've never seen a soaring hawk for more than 2 minutes before it got bombarded by ravens. The young ravens from the nesting pair can be a little stupid and try to eat chicken food, but they've never attacked the chickens or the chicks. It's funny, the parents will scream at the young fledge ravens for venturing too close to us. I've come to love them like family. No answers for you, I'm hoping you can continue to free range without loss, but the cycle of life will move on.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

I don't like to free range and I never will. I'm too attached to my 11 week old Buff Orpingtons and my 11 week old Golden laced Wyandottes. I could not imagine losing some of them. If would basically kill me..