I think I lost a chicken today

[JudyMcKinn]

Devora, I hope not, but I think you probably ARE deluding yourself. Hawks got my full grown chickens a few years ago when I had an uncovered pen. They can't lift them, but can kill or injure them enough they will have to be put down, when they strike, if you are right there. Or if you aren't there, they will eat them there on the ground where they struck them.

 

[devora]

JudyMcKinn: Thanks for being frank! I'm so new to this and every little bit helps. We are usually out when the babies are, and so far they don't roam too far, but I'll be more watchful now!

 

[SandyC]

These hens are fully grown...abouut 18 weeks. I had another friend tell me that the hawks wouldn't bother them.

I wouldn't even consider a goat, except that I have thought about getting a couple anyway. I won't do it until I have the fence up. I plan to get a couple of Shetland Sheep, so I need a really solid fence anyway.

 

[GoodEgg]

I will say that even being RIGHT THERE with your chicks, you can't count on protecting them from a hawk. I never would have thought hawks would be so brave, but they tried to get into my (thankfully covered) run while I was working on the coop less than a dozen yards away.

When I posted that, I saw several others post that hawks tried to take theirs from just a couple feet away from them, and one even right out of her lap!

Having a human nearby isn't a guarantee against hawks.

Having said that, I DO let mine free range, and I stay right there to watch them. I'm watching for snakes from the brush pile, keeping an eye on the kitten and the duck bunch, making sure they don't wander too far, AND watching the sky for hawks. I have to admit, I feel better when there are doves and crows on the electric lines ... those will fly away or attack hawks if they come around, so if those birds are calm there PROBABLY aren't any hawks too close. But ... no guarantees anywhere, unless they are well fenced in and covered. Even then, some people lose them to this or that predator.

I just do what I can, hope for the best, and have this feeling that one day I WILL probably have to face that loss. I just hope it isn't the little Jap roo ... he's my favorite!

trish