Hawks :(

[Nambroth]

I'm so sorry for your losses. It is so sad! You are right; this year has been a cold one in much of the USA and so far the winter has been more harsh in many areas than in recent years, so all of the critters are looking harder for food... including the hawks.

Be careful with your new littles... they are the most tempting to raptors, since they can snatch and go! If you can keep momma and her chicks in an enclosed area until they can fend for themselves (and then maybe some time until they beef up a bit to be closer to your adults) then that might prevent some losses.
I've read that american game roosters can be quite good at taking on hawks, since they are agile and flighty enough to meet one head-on. If you can find one that needs rehoming near you that isn't people aggressive, it might be an option.

Is that a cochin in your icon? She looks like a good momma.

 

[BlueJayFarm]

I'm so sorry for your losses. It is so sad! You are right; this year has been a cold one in much of the USA and so far the winter has been more harsh in many areas than in recent years, so all of the critters are looking harder for food... including the hawks.

Be careful with your new littles... they are the most tempting to raptors, since they can snatch and go! If you can keep momma and her chicks in an enclosed area until they can fend for themselves (and then maybe some time until they beef up a bit to be closer to your adults) then that might prevent some losses.
I've read that american game roosters can be quite good at taking on hawks, since they are agile and flighty enough to meet one head-on. If you can find one that needs rehoming near you that isn't people aggressive, it might be an option.

Is that a cochin in your icon? She looks like a good momma.

Thanks for the sympathy! I so miss my Mabel. It is not the same for anyone without her.

I do have a SL Cochin but that is a Blue Wyandotte, Clara, in the icon. She is our best broody. Her daughter Selma, a SL Wyandotte is brooding the last of Mabel's eggs right now, so fingers crossed!! When we have a hatch, they all get the princess treatment. They have their own space protected from the others where they can grow with mama hen until they are big enough to join the main flock. Everyone can eyeball each other through the wire and the mama hen loves knowing that no one can harass them.


Thanks for the gamecock suggestion, because that's exactly what I want! I have a closed flock, so I would want to raise one from a chick so it's a bit of a gamble, but yes I've heard the same thing: that standard cocks are less likely to risk themselves but gamecocks will fight to the death. Plus they are beautiful. Hopefully Ernest (and my DH!) will tolerate another rooster! Thank you again for the sympathy and advice. I cannot wait for those hawks to go back to wherever they go.

 

[foamyownsyou]

I am surprised they let people own hawks unless its injured and can not fly and kept for educational purposes. Don't get the falconer thing ,Just my opinion
I guess every one has there thing.

It so they survive and you use them as a hunting buddy they can fly away when ever they want

 

[foamyownsyou]

In post number 327 on this thread you do say that you own a red tail?  You are keeping a wild bird in a captive environment, correct?  Can you keep him in captivity for ever or are you eventually required to free him?

I do don't own Cisco or Shuandi they are my hunting buddies and you can keep him until he passes or flies away or you can hunt your retail for a year and release in the spring

 

[foamyownsyou]

Thanks for the sympathy! I so miss my Mabel. It is not the same for anyone without her. I do have a SL Cochin but that is a Blue Wyandotte, Clara, in the icon. She is our best broody. Her daughter Selma, a SL Wyandotte is brooding the last of Mabel's eggs right now, so fingers crossed!! When we have a hatch, they all get the princess treatment. They have their own space protected from the others where they can grow with mama hen until they are big enough to join the main flock. Everyone can eyeball each other through the wire and the mama hen loves knowing that no one can harass them. Thanks for the gamecock suggestion, because that's exactly what I want! I have a closed flock, so I would want to raise one from a chick so it's a bit of a gamble, but yes I've heard the same thing: that standard cocks are less likely to risk themselves but gamecocks will fight to the death. Plus they are beautiful. Hopefully Ernest (and my DH!) will tolerate another rooster! Thank you again for the sympathy and advice. I cannot wait for those hawks to go back to wherever they go.

beautiful birds by the way I like your chickens

 

[sourland]

I do don't own Cisco or Shuandi they are my hunting buddies and you can keep him until he passes or flies away or you can hunt your retail for a year and release in the spring

If they fly away, don't their jesses become tangled in something causing them to starve to death? Several years ago there was a redtail sitting above my lofts - when he flew I could see that he had jesses on his legs. I've always wondered what happened to him/her.

 

[foamyownsyou]

If they fly away, don't their jesses become tangled in something causing them to starve to death?  Several years ago there was a redtail sitting above my lofts - when he flew I could see that he had jesses on his legs.  I've always wondered what happened to him/her.

No that will tear off there made of flimsy leather

 

[chickengeorgeto]

What are yall's opinions of the fishing line and CD's tatict??

The fishing line trick is the same thing that is basically done with hawk traps to snare the feet and talons of hawks when they swoop down on a baited cage trap. A cage trap is covered in Medusa like nylon fishing line loops. IMHO hanging CDs to scare off hawks is something that someone though about twice then did once before posting it on the web as gospel. From there it took on a life of its own.

 

[kculbert]

Just lost my faverolles hen to a hawk today. I am so upset and haven't been able to stop crying. This is the first chicken death we've had and it wasn't pretty. My girls free-range in my back yard most of the day but I guess that will have to stop now. Just dreading having to tell my kids. She was our favorite. I guess I'll be covering their run this weekend and getting them used to being locked up all day.

 

[BlueJayFarm]

Just lost my faverolles hen to a hawk today. I am so upset and haven't been able to stop crying. This is the first chicken death we've had and it wasn't pretty. My girls free-range in my back yard most of the day but I guess that will have to stop now. Just dreading having to tell my kids. She was our favorite. I guess I'll be covering their run this weekend and getting them used to being locked up all day.

That's really sad! Sorry for your loss. I know how you feel. What I've learned is that that hawk will definitely come back, probably later today and/or tomorrow. Your other girls must be traumatized like you!

They are lucky to have you and to be getting a covered run. Good luck.