Hawk VS. momma hen with chicks

[L&Schickens]

I heard a terrible distress call form the chickens this am. I got my shoes on as fast as I could and ran out. I saw a hawk fly off the pen where my Seramas are and Goldie was having a fit. The hawk had been sitting and waiting on the pen for a few moments, I am sure. When he flew off he acted like he was only flying away because I was bigger, not because he was afraid.
So, he was gone, but I could only find one chick. I went into the cage and there were the rest of the chicks, laying flat on the ground being super quiet, as the rest of the chickens made a bunch of noise. The chicks did not move until I mived them with my hand. Goldie did not attack me, as she usually does, but she did call her chicks to her and sat on them clucking away happy they were all there.
It was just amazing to see how those chicks blended in and knew exactly what to do.

 

[Beekissed]

That's a cool story! Are you going to put up some netting over your run? I think he'll be back...

I've been freeranging my 5 wk old flock with the big ones for about a week and watched something similar yesterday. My rooster gave his alarm cry and all the babies came running down from the orchard and into the corn stalks, just like a well trained army troop. They were so fast! They learn sooo fast!

 

[beakkeeper]

Well trained chicks you got there!What breed?

 

[L&Schickens]

They are Seramas.
We have a roof on the pen and a tarp over part of it to keep the wind out. The hawks can't get in, but the chicks can get out!!

 

[bigzio]

I would be aware of the fact that the hawk will prolly be back. Any cover or restriction you can create over the pen to keep the hawk out would be the wise thing to do.

Just a thought....

bigzio

 

[theOEGBman]

Wow, good thing they stayed still! Im so glad everyone was ok.

I had a hawk attack yesterday too, but I think everyone is ok. Didnt manage to count all of the chicks as they were scattered.

 

[dangerouschicken]

Glad to hear the hawk was on his way, without any Serama babies or their mama.

They are gorgeous, btw!

 

[L&Schickens]

The chickens were in the coop when the hawk came. They have a metal roof. The hawk can't get in unless he has a can opener or wire cutters.
The chicks sometimes get out through the 1 inch chicken wire. We have mice that are bigger then they are!!

 

[scooter147]

Glad no chicks were out of their run at the time.

Several years ago I had a "great" barnyard bantie that I used several times a year to hatch chicks.
Just like you I heard a rukus and when I went to investigate there was a red tail sitting on the chain link fence and momma on the ground with her feathers all puffed up just daring that hawk to come down. The chicks all ran and hid in the wood pile.
So after that I had to supervise when I would let her and her chicks out of the brooder to get some exercise and free range.