How paranoid do I need to be?

[lizch]

We live amongst coyote, hawks, owls, bears, raccoons, bobcats, and (rarely) neighbor dogs. And we are the proud owners of seven 6-week old pullets.

I have built a secure coop and run, so I'm feeling comfortable with their safety when inside that. But (as I just mentioned in another thread) I love having them cheeping around me as I work in the yard. How likely is it that a predator would get them while I'm outside with them? They're not in my sight 100% of the time...but is it pretty safe because many predators are nocturnal and/or scared of humans? Just wondering how relaxed vs how paranoid I should be! I feel like a first-time-mom all over again

 

[Cass]

Quote:
Do you have a rooster?
Coyotes, bears, bobcats and dogs will 99 times out of 100 not approach when a human is present.
Owls and racoons are mainly nocturnal. Unless you are outside after dark, they are probably not going to be a problem.
Hawks? That would be a problem, even when you are present. How much of a problem depends on what other food is available for the hawks to get (chickens aren't normally on a hawk's menu) and how many hawks you have in residence. I have a lot of hawks around my place. Several breeding pairs. I am still going to let my chickens free range when I am outside. I am hoping they chickens will be so interested in what I am turning up as I garden that they will stay close to my body.
I asked about the rooster because a roo will sound the alarm for birds of prey and herd his hens under cover.

I don't know if this answers your question, but I hope it helps you evaluate the risks.

 

[lizch]

Thanks--very helpful!

In theory I have 7 pullets, but there's one Rhode Island Red that has stood out as a rooster-contender from very early on. He/She has spectacularly enormous feet, and is bigger than the rest and is developing a comb a little faster. So I'm thinking I might have one. Would a rooster alert about a hawk at this age? Or is that for when it's more mature?

I do listen for the crows around--they go NUTS when a hawk is around. Wish I could then make a rooster noise to alert the hens!

 

[Cass]

Quote:
IF it is a roo, yes, it will start to dominate and protect the flock at a very young age. However sexual maturity will bring out the best in him. And alpha Hen might knock him down a bit until sexual maturity tho. I think that's where the term "hen pecked" came from. LOL
Yes, the crows are a wonderful alert system. They also harrass the hawks while in flight. People cannot harrass hawks, however. (I don't think that's fair, but it is the law)

 

[Celtic Chick]

I have hawks around here all the time, and I swear my girls see them long before any crow does. Just make sure you have some cover around your yard. Chickens are fast and will bolt for the nearest bush, tree, etc.
Besides dotting my yard with various vase-shaped shrubs, I also have a deer feeder and numerous tops from covered cat boxes scattered both in the yard and in the chicken run. If you don't have either, a brush pile, a wooden pallet or sheet of plywood leaning on an angle will do just fine also. Neighbors think it's an eyesore? Scatter some morning glory seeds around it; it'll be covered with flowers in no time, if you can keep the chickens away from it long enough to establish itself.

And you only have to plant it once; they will reseed themselves like mad!
What kind of chicks did you get? Are they bantams or standards? The larger the chicken, the less likely a predator will try to go for it, especially hawks. I had one land right on the other side of my run & I watched it as it just sat there staring at my chickens. My girls were much bigger than he was, so it turned its attention to the ground squirrels real fast. Whew!
Chances are, if you are moving about in your yard, predators will avoid getting anywhere near you, unless they are ravenous. Some dogs, on the other hand, won't really care, being used to being around people. Some of them just want to kill, depending on the individual dog.
Roosters are wonderful watch"dogs", dare I say. I read somewhere that roosters serve 2 main functions in their lives: to fertilize and to protect. They will take on any threat to keep their hens safe. I can't even tell you how many stories I have read about roosters getting injured, or worse, while fighting off a predator. I hope you have one. He will really help you out.
Good luck and happy chicken keeping!

 

[Chick Charm]

While you are outside with them the threat level is low. Nobody can assure you 100% safety but while you are out there you are providing protection even if you are unaware. Roosters are Great to have for watching out.

 

[hennyannie]

Ihad one roo that actually sounded like he was yelling hawk. The hens would get under cover and not make a peep when he did this. I was amazed. The funny thing was sometimes it was a crow!

 

[lizch]

This is all so helpful, thanks! It will be truly wonderful if I can relax while they're out there with me.

I have 5 black australorps and 2 RIRs. It's one of the RIRs that I suspect could be a roo. If I could take a decent photo, I'd post it in the gender-guessing thread, but good photos still elude me

 

[Mattemma]

My hens usually see hawks before I do.If I hear a warning call I go close to them. If I see all of them running into the chicken shed I know there is something close that freaked them.

I listen to the crows and blue jays too.They make a lot of noise when the hawk is around.And our hawks,red shoulder,also make a lot of noise!

 

[zengrrl]

My boss had chickens when she was a little girl and after asking me about my new chicks told me "well it doesn't really matter because a predator WILL get in and slaughter them all".... Gee, thanks! So now I'm determined to keep them safe AND prove her wrong.