How big does a chicken need to be that it isn't HAWK BAIT anymore?

[svalentine]

I have my 6 wk old chicks in a covered coop. I need to know how long they are at risk from hawks.

 

[Cackling Hen]

They are never ever free from being attacked by a hawk I just had and eagle come down and ALMOST take my 1 year old Bantam Cochin

Mine free range though so if you have a coverd run for them they will be ok from the hawks and eagle.

 

[Keri78]

I personally had one of my HUGE HEAVY Buff Orp girls taken by a hawk or owl..not sure??? In the middle of the afternoon...from my backyard...they were pretty BIG...maybe 6 mths old? Since then I've decided to keep the babies in covered pens until they are almost fully grown...it's just not worth it to me! It probably depends on how many trees and shrubs you have around for protection too. Since I took mine out of my backyard and let them free range my woods and side yard which has alot of trees for cover...I haven't lost anymore...an I have noticed that when I hawk flies over they all run for cover! They didn't have anywhere to hide in the backyard! My fault...I was a newbie!

 

[HEChicken]

I had a 5-weeker taken by this hawk last October:

(I snapped the pic when it came back for another meal two days later. By then I had learned my lesson and had the rest of the 5-weekers in a covered run). While the hawk was sitting on my fence (about 20 mins), my grown-up ladies were free-ranging the backyard. The hawk apparently did not consider attacking them. Once my little chicks were bigger (around 12 weeks), I let them free-range again. I have never lost another to a hawk. So - this is not science but I would say that a standard chook at around 12 weeks starts to be a little less vulnerable. I've had hawks fly over a few times since and the chooks do take cover but as the hawk did not look to be much bigger than them, I don't think they've been in serious danger. However I realize that hawks come in different sizes, so if the ones in your area are bigger than this, even an adult hen could be at risk.

 

[jbowyer01]

I lost two full grown bbrs to a hawk so I dont think they are ever safe from a hawk. Mine are now in a covered run and only get out when I can sit with them.

 

[Wifezilla]

I had 2 full grown ducks decapitated by a hawk. It doesn't need to be able to carry it off to kill it.

 

[Illia]

Yeah, sadly, ANY chicken age or size can still be taken by a hawk. . . Even if they're too heavy.

 

[WingingIt]

Quote:
Forever. Even if they can't carry something, they can still kill it and eat parts of it - and they will.

 

[herefordlovinglady]

we lost a full grown rooster to chicken hawks. they take their heads off. it is awful.

 

[DIMBY]

And don't forget the big owls - great horned and grey, they can easily take large chickens, ducks, cats, small dogs ...