- Mar 31, 2008
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With the winter boredom setting in I decided to let them free range. They had only been out a few times since the weather has been warming up. This is new territory for the ladies since we have just moved. I have seen lots of wildlife up here at the new place including Red Tail Hawks and fisher cats etc.... but didn't think they would bother them. I have read posts on here where the red tail hawks have gotten chickens and others where the hawks don't bother the chickens. So I thought I would try my luck.
My luck ran out right away. I was leaving in my car and one of my chickens was standing in the driveway. Right away I knew something was wrong. It was the way she was standing very still and tail pointed down. (Almost as if she was in shock). She is never alone. She is always with her foraging pal. I immediately got out of the car, grabbed her and started looking for her friend. Suddenly, I heard a BAWWWGAAAAWWWWKK coming from the woods!!! Trouble. I looked and there was the HAWK trying to get her in the woods!
I through my hen in the coop and turned into super woman and ran into the woods through the briars, brush and prickers....screaming like a maniac to try and scare the hawk away. I saw the hawk strike my hen at least 4 times. She kept running under brush and somehow, by some miracle escaping the claws!
I don't know how many times it happened before I even got there. I am guessing the hawk didn't have the height to get the speed it needed to shock the hen and get her. She kept scooting and escaping. I grabbed that baby as fast as I could and ran out and straight to the coop. WHEW, my heart was racing. I was right up close and personal with that hawk and was ready to battle if it came at her again. I guess I thought it wouldn't happen to me but it did.
They have free-ranged for almost a year at our other place and never a problem. I turned her over, checked her all out and no blood. I checked both birds since the other seemed a little startled and they are both fine!
Looks like it time to build a run.
My luck ran out right away. I was leaving in my car and one of my chickens was standing in the driveway. Right away I knew something was wrong. It was the way she was standing very still and tail pointed down. (Almost as if she was in shock). She is never alone. She is always with her foraging pal. I immediately got out of the car, grabbed her and started looking for her friend. Suddenly, I heard a BAWWWGAAAAWWWWKK coming from the woods!!! Trouble. I looked and there was the HAWK trying to get her in the woods!
I don't know how many times it happened before I even got there. I am guessing the hawk didn't have the height to get the speed it needed to shock the hen and get her. She kept scooting and escaping. I grabbed that baby as fast as I could and ran out and straight to the coop. WHEW, my heart was racing. I was right up close and personal with that hawk and was ready to battle if it came at her again. I guess I thought it wouldn't happen to me but it did.
They have free-ranged for almost a year at our other place and never a problem. I turned her over, checked her all out and no blood. I checked both birds since the other seemed a little startled and they are both fine!
