- Sep 13, 2013
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Yesterday morning around 10 am I peaked out the back door and saw a hawk sitting on top of my run. The run is fully covered, but the pullet's didn't know any better and they were freaking out. The hawk was certainly looking for a way in as it hopped around and checked out the area. My hen was in the nesting box laying an egg and I think she was oblivious to the whole thing. I let my chickens free range in the yard for a few hours each day and luckily for me this hawk stopped by before I had let them out. My pullet's were not much smaller than the hawk (I don't think the hawk would have been able to get my hen, as she is over twice the size of this hawk) but I think the hawk could have made short work of one of the little ones. I quickly contemplated what to do...I am a hunter, but I am not in the business of killing animals I don't intend to use for one purpose or another, nor am I in the business of killing them illegally. I ended up cutting my hounds loose on it and it took off and flew out of sight. I ended up letting the girls out later in the day and all enjoyed the time to roam and went back to the coop a few hours later. I now am regretting not shooting the hawk. I would assume that now that it knows there are chickens here it may return when the pullets are bit more vulnerable. I will say I am impressed with my pullets natural instincts. Even when I let them out they either stay under or very close by the large pine trees that line the back yard. I often find them underneath the trees resting or scratching in the needles. Hopefully these instincts will keep them alive. Anyone have any suggestions with pesky hawks?
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