Quote:
Please provide more details of situation. Fix maybe simple.
Age / size of chickens?
Amount and types of vegetation?
Species of hawk?
Do you have direct observation of hawk activities?
chickens were full grown, mostly banties, but some standard size one's as well
Their pen is mostly open, but along one side of it there are some pine trees and a couple of fruit trees.
I don't know what kind of hawk it is(if you think it would help I could try and get a pic of it)
Yes, we have seen it trying to carry away one of our chickens. The chicken was too big, so it couldn't cary it away though. However, it killed it and sat right there and ate it
Thanks.
Small size of bantams makes them more vulnerable to a broader range of hawks. At this time of year male hawks, which are smaller, do most of hunting. Generally speaking, they will only target at this time of year what can be carried intact back to nest.
Trees in themselves do not provide cover. Cover that works forces hawks to approach chickens on foot and denies easy takeoff. For me, black berries (brambles) patch that is at least 6 feet in diameter that can be penetrated easily by chickens can be effective cover.
Hawk species can be important. Picture would be nice. Effort might determine direction hawk comes in from. Sometimes hawks particular about how they approach larger prey. Show a picture.
What kind of roosters do you have? Some roosters can detour a hawk, especially if hawk on ground like when struggling with another chicken. My roosters are scared of hawk when it is above them but will thump it hard when its it on ground, especially when young chicks are around. Sometimes hens will join in on attack. Not all breeds do this.
Please provide more details of situation. Fix maybe simple.
Age / size of chickens?
Amount and types of vegetation?
Species of hawk?
Do you have direct observation of hawk activities?
chickens were full grown, mostly banties, but some standard size one's as well
Their pen is mostly open, but along one side of it there are some pine trees and a couple of fruit trees.
I don't know what kind of hawk it is(if you think it would help I could try and get a pic of it)
Yes, we have seen it trying to carry away one of our chickens. The chicken was too big, so it couldn't cary it away though. However, it killed it and sat right there and ate it
Thanks.
Small size of bantams makes them more vulnerable to a broader range of hawks. At this time of year male hawks, which are smaller, do most of hunting. Generally speaking, they will only target at this time of year what can be carried intact back to nest.
Trees in themselves do not provide cover. Cover that works forces hawks to approach chickens on foot and denies easy takeoff. For me, black berries (brambles) patch that is at least 6 feet in diameter that can be penetrated easily by chickens can be effective cover.
Hawk species can be important. Picture would be nice. Effort might determine direction hawk comes in from. Sometimes hawks particular about how they approach larger prey. Show a picture.
What kind of roosters do you have? Some roosters can detour a hawk, especially if hawk on ground like when struggling with another chicken. My roosters are scared of hawk when it is above them but will thump it hard when its it on ground, especially when young chicks are around. Sometimes hens will join in on attack. Not all breeds do this.
