Hawks got 2.

[julianna47]

So I just started to try to give my 7 week old girls some space. I put a small extension out of my covered run, turned my back for a minute, and two are gone. I'm pretty upset. A hawk was the culprit. Pretty sure that free ranging won't be possible here. Poor girls are in the coop, afraid to move. And my daughter is debastated

 

[Birdydeb]

So sorry for your loss. The hawks continue to circle my run even though it is covered ever since I let my chicks out. But they are spending less and less time doing it. It would be impossible for me to free range too. The Red Tails have been the most persistent. I would be devastated too.

 

[Junglefowlboss]

I have a bunch of hawks and even eagles where I live but they dont bother my chickens. The chickens once attacked the hawk when it was on the ground trying to get some baby chicks. They haven't cimeback since. Wish the best of luck to you guys. Try putting out a fake owl or hang shiny objects around. It helps

.

 

[catscabinladies]

so sorry that's so frustrating! are you able to get a rooster, might be able to offer some protection or at least warning?

 

[julianna47]

Thanks for the condolences

. This is harder than I thought

 

[ColtonCockrum]

Last weekend i had an owl try to grab one of my 6 month olds. There are now 5 owls in my tree, so i've attached netting over the top of the pen.

 

[SanDogDewey]

Yeah, I don't think we'll be letting our girls out in the yard. We have eagles and hawks around here on a regular basis.

 

[julianna47]

The area that was not covered was about 6 X 6 and attached to a covered run. I guess I thought that they could get under cover if they needed to. But I was wrong

 

[julianna47]

I'd love to let them have a little open space to range, but I don't know if I'll ever be brave enough to try again

 

[Intheswamp]

Sorry that you lost the chickens. Wow, a 6x6 area is a small area for a hawk to dive into! It wouldn't take much to stretch bird-netting over that area if you decide to turn them back out.

Best wishes,
Ed