hawks

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sweetie pie

sweetie pie

Chirping
6 Years
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Mar 10, 2013
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Just lost one of my four chickens to a hawk. I have been so upset. They were out of their run like i have been doing for the last two years. Now I only let them out if I am out with them. Was wondering if a hawk will attack if Im out with them? Also the other three were so scared by everything that they have not laid any eggs in a week. Do you know how long it will be before they start laying again? Thanks in advanced and this is a picture of my three that are left
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welcome-byc.gif
We're glad you joined us!

I'm sorry for your loss.
hugs.gif
Hawks don't usually attack while there are people nearby, but it does occasionally happen.

As for when your hens will being laying again, it is hard to know for sure. It will probably be at least a few weeks, though.

Good luck!
 
Hello :frow and Welcome To BYC! Sorry for your loss. Hawks are usually wary of humans, but some are very bold, so do be careful. Usually hens will start laying again a couple of weeks after an upset, but because of the time of year, if they have stopped laying it may be spring before they start up again.
 
I lost a lot of young chicks before I realized what was happening. I have a run that's about 5 1/2 feet tall and have 3 rows of electric fence around the bottom. The top was open. I was devastated! I checked on BYC and someone sent an article from Mother Earth News. It said to take fishing line and run it in a criss crossed pattern across the top. The gaps can be about a foot apart. Hawks won't go into a place where they might not easily be able to escape. I never lost another chicken to hawks after that! The line will eventually break so in the fall, I replaced the fishing line with orange twine.
 
On other threads I subscribe to, I have heard of several episodes of hawks swooping down and taking birds while the people were a few feet away. Probably depends on where you live. In well populated areas the raptors have gotten used to people being around. In suburbs near us - hawks attack dogs even on the leash. Free range birds are always open to attack. I know hawks won't intentionally dive through mesh or some other light cover material BUT, if it isn't visible to them - they will. I think neon or hologram sparkly material would be most effective. A well built sturdy run with cover is your best bet.
 
Welcome to BYC!
frow.gif
We're glad to have you.

I'm sorry for your loss!
hugs.gif
In my experience, hawks don't usually attack when there are people nearby. But, I'm sure that there are some bold ones that would try, even with you outside.
 
Welcome to BYC. Glad you decided to our flock. I'm sorry about your losses to the hawks. It's always sad to lose some of our flock. If there are lots of hawks in your area and they are used to people being around, they can become very bold about attacking your chickens. If the losses are unacceptable, you will need to keep your flock in a covered run of some kind. Please feel free to ask any other questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. Good luck in protecting your flock from the hawks.
 

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