hawks

[sophies hens]

We have lost over half of our flock to hawks. The state "bird" prerson thinks it is either one bird or a pair. We have 15 babies we don't want to be hawk bait. We have moved the adults to corn fields thinking this would shelter them as they stay in there but to no avail. Any thoughts?
..

 

[centrarchid]

Breed and age of chickens being lost? What hawk species is involved? I have lots of experience with hawks of Missouri and seldom do they work in pairs unless red-tails and with those cornfeild should shut their efforts down. Have you actually seen hawks working your flock?

 

[sophies hens]

Yes the one we have seen is a red tailed hawk. The breed is buff orpingtom. Our rooster is no help. He is the first one in the coop. The youger onesare being lost. But they are not the layers

 

[centrarchid]

At this point I am not sure hawk is your problem. Are carcasses being taken? This very important question despite hawk pursuing,

Rooster being a wimp likely to due him not being > 9 months old?

 

[centrarchid]

Show some pictures of kill sites and generally areas where birds are kept and areas where predator likely interacts with chickens prior to kill sites.

 

[sophies hens]

The hawk has been seen leaving the kill site. The carcuses are not taken. Our roosteris about 15 mo old. He is just gentle.

 

[sophies hens]

We have an electric fence around the birds so it is not a 4 legged animal and the hawk has been seen 3 times leaving the kill site.

 

[centrarchid]

Show a picture of kill sites and where birds have access to. Your Buffs are on the upper size range of what a red-tailed hawk can handle.

Fencing arrangement with respect to cover might be adjustable.


Some four legged animals can defeat an electrified fence. My dogs do it routinely as part of their job.

 

[sophies hens]

I will get some pictures. Probably this afternoon.

The hawk seems to kill mostly the low hens on the pecking order. Our biggest hen Floppy has escaped each time. She is also 2 yrs old and wise.

 

[sophies hens]

We are going to move them into the garden next to our house. We went from 16 and now have 7. Only one died osf natural cases. Rest have been to hawks. After we move them it takes 3 days for him to find them then we have lost one every other day.