Hawks

[scooter147]

I actually lost a hen to redtail yesterday. I'm not sure why they are still protected. I counted 8 in my 20 mile commute this morning sitting on fences, telephone poles etc. So that's just the ones I saw. So.....

 

[psychik]

My flock has not been out of their pen in over two years. The foxes, coyotes and countless hawks make it impossible for them to come out safely. We live in the city in a more rural area. Even though the chickens haven't been out in ages, those hawks make multiple passes all day long! Red tails are plentiful in DFW too!

 

[dutchbunny83]

Mine have been staying in there covered runs coming out maybe an hour a day while I'm out there, and there are still hawks hovering over my yard!
I won't let our kitten out there because I'm afraid they'll come get him.
Our other cat is 20lbs I think he could take on a hawk haha

 

[MsChickenMomma]

Today I sat in a lawn chair with a book for 3 hours and gave the girls a chance to get out of the coop and run around for a while. We still don't have a run, so they have been confined to the coop for the most part.

I found out while I was sitting there in the yard that the hawk who has been attacking my chickens has two babies. They are the exact same shape and color as the hawk, but they are only half the size. They were flying around by my barn and around the yard. Now that I know there are 3 hawks, the girls definitely won't be allowed out when I'm not out there with them. I'm hoping to be able to get some netting soon and cover the fence that I have so they at least have something to go outside in. It's very small, but we are hoping to be able to build a bigger and better run in the Spring.

 

[hancockchickens]

It is my undstanding that birds of prey came under protection around 1918 or so when they were hunted to the brink of extinction, which caused vermin populations to rise. Now I would say they should be removed from protection with the exception of eagles and those species still endangered.

I saw my goshawk the other day flying over the carrying place (where the Indians used to carry or paddle canoes over the peninsula) with something fuzzy in its mouth. About two miles as a straight shot from my house, but still too close for comfort. Apparently she has not migrated yet....or perhaps she has leg warmers and a sweater vest? She is a lovely bird, a very big girl: about 24 inches tall, 4.5 foot wingspan at least. Big huge grey eyebrows, fantastic black and white breast, and she is a fierces little you-know-what. If I didn't hate her so much I would love her.

Creation is a beautiful thing...until it carries off your flock! Thinking of procuring a flock of crows....

 

[Speceider]

Today I sat in a lawn chair with a book for 3 hours and gave the girls a chance to get out of the coop and run around for a while. We still don't have a run, so they have been confined to the coop for the most part.

I found out while I was sitting there in the yard that the hawk who has been attacking my chickens has two babies. They are the exact same shape and color as the hawk, but they are only half the size. They were flying around by my barn and around the yard. Now that I know there are 3 hawks, the girls definitely won't be allowed out when I'm not out there with them. I'm hoping to be able to get some netting soon and cover the fence that I have so they at least have something to go outside in. It's very small, but we are hoping to be able to build a bigger and better run in the Spring.

They couldn't be babies...raptors do not fledge (able to fly) until they are adult size...

Clint

 

[MsChickenMomma]

They couldn't be babies...raptors do not fledge (able to fly) until they are adult size...

Clint

Hmm... Well they looked exactly like the other hawk, except these two were about half the size of the one that has been attacking my chickens. If they weren't babies than I don't know what they were.

 

[tatertot]

Chicken hawks fledged between 25..36 days old...they are full grown at 11 weeks of age...I GOOGLED IT...so yes they could have been juveniles

 

[Big Bubba]

I live in an area that can best be defined as semi-urban. I've seen hawks before but it is such a tight area they swoop through before you can blink an eye.

Today a hawk attacked in our backyard with me and my dog not more than 20 feet away. It flew away quickly. My girls were very upset.

What surprised me was the balls on that hawk to attack with me and the dog present. I guess a hawk couldn't be all that successful with such a short time frame to kill. But, it will make me think twice before deciding to leave for just a few minutes. Too bad, my girls really love free ranging.

 

[centrarchid]

Chicken hawks fledged between 25..36 days old...they are full grown at 11 weeks of age...I GOOGLED IT...so yes they could have been juveniles

I study hawks. Weight at fledging can be greater than adult weight. Two possibilities come to mind with respect to apparent size variation. Different species like Coopers Hawk (large) and Sharp-SHinned HAwk (small). Second is gender where females are much larger than males of some species. I like more confidence in species ID.