Icelandic Chickens

[NotAFarm]

Well....I am totally bummed out. I don't like it but that's what happens when you free range. A hawk got my Icelandic pullet and one of the cockerels today. I've never had any issues with the hawks around here before now. The Icee's have been out with the other chickens for about a week now. So frustrating....

Brad, I'm so sorry to hear this!

 

[Mahonri]

Brad, so sorry about your loss. I've had my share of hawk killings right here in the city. We usually see them from now until the end of May and then not again until Sept through October. I finally had to stop free ranging them unless I was right there. My golden retriever almost caught a hawk that was going after the chickens one day. She got a couple hawk tail feathers in her mouth and probably saved the life of one of my leghorns that day.

 

[Jake Levi]

That is a bummer Brad, and a disaster in a small flock !

I really want to get my numbers built up this year just to help guard against this. I also want to make a few quick refuges around the yard. My Isi Jr. is major good about giving warnings but thats not always enough. Otoh, when building up a free ranging flock its a real consideration.

I hope that you can raise some replacements for her soon.

 

[karimw]

Oh Brad, that's heartbreaking. If I had to guess your troubles aren't over - that bird will keep coming back.

 

[mbmess2003]

even though they have 3+ acres to roam around.....they tended to stick around the coop and there was a patch of trees/scrub brush (about 25 feet from the coop) that all the chickens would go to rest during the day. i had a bad feeling when i got home and everyone came running for the afternoon scratch session except for them. believe me there is plenty of cover available...i'm guessing they didn't pay attention to the rooster's warning. i have a broody sitting on eggs. I'm hoping that she will instill in them what to do when a warning is given. i also had planned on building a 20x20 enclosed run this summer but that is still a couple months away.

 

[Happy Chooks]

I'm sorry Brad. We've had a bad year with hawks as well. I too lost some juvenile birds.

 

[RedIII]

Brad, that's awful. I'm sorry! Lousy hawks don't have the good sense to pick off one of the extra roosters, much less stay away from the chickens! It seems that the predator numbers are up this year, what with everything I've read here and dealth with in person. We've got a Cooper's hawk that scopes our neighborhood, but I have chased it off a couple of times. I haven't had problems with it lately, I think because of the turkeys that are ranging with the chickens. My icelandic boys are good about sounding a warning and hustling the girls into the bushes, but they're being kept in the garage until the turkeys go bye-bye. Makes me nervous. I feel safer with a rooster out there minding the flock. I think if that hawk got one of my pullets (especially Flekka, given her bloodline) I'd be heart sick.

 

[Hangtown Farms]

Well....I am totally bummed out. I don't like it but that's what happens when you free range. A hawk got my Icelandic pullet and one of the cockerels today. I've never had any issues with the hawks around here before now. The Icee's have been out with the other chickens for about a week now. So frustrating....

I had lot all my icelandics to hawks. my one rooster was a good roo but could not do anything about it.

 

[Farmerboy16]

Get turkeys or geese!!! I have not lost any chickens to hawks since getting a bigger type of poultry. Plus guineas make fantastic watch dogs!!! One guinea sounding an alarm, and in split second all birds are nowhere to be seen!

 

[RedIII]

I had lot all my icelandics to hawks. my one rooster was a good roo but could not do anything about it.

Are you rebuilding your flock? Or are you just taking a break from getting more Icees for a while? Sorry that you lost them