Illinois...

[Faraday40]

A little City news... I let my flock roam my yard as much as possible. Today was no different.

Moments ago I was startled by the neighborhood crow family making a huge racket in my back yard. I went out on the attic deck to find 4 of them challenging a huge white breasted hawk in the dead tree... Biggest one I've seen here. By the time I hit the patio I found all 8 of my girls sheltering under the outdoors furniture. They all came running when I called "coop time" and dashed towards the garage coop at the back of my yard. I had to capture the three new pullets (A little bit of scratch and coaxing always does the trick!) and place them inside, but the original 5 knew what to do.

The crows left by the time most of the hens were in the coop. The hawk flew off as I captured the second of the three new girls. Everyone is fine and happy.

This crow family has lived here longer than my 30 years in Old Irving. They visit my yard often and I have never had reason to disturb them. They will be in my Thanksgiving thoughts tomorrow.

Yikes. Thankfully your predator warning system was fully functional. For us, it's the loud blue jays. Mine too know how to take cover quickly when a hawk appears. It's when you don't hear the warning that causes trouble. Sometimes the hawks circle up high for a while & swoop down to surprise. Whenever I see one, I make sure the dogs are outside. You could try changing up the routine a little for the next few days. Hawks are smart & will stop by around the same time each day if they think there's prey available.

 

[ChicagoClucker]

since mine was a last minute design, I used what I had laying around. I did buy 2 inch foam insulation for floor, covered it with plastic sheeting, then laid some wood strips on top of plastic and topped it with a lattice panel so there is no way they could get to plastic or insulation. covered all that with straw n leaves. I had lattice panels framed out already that I just used for sides. Then covered it all in plastic with an open panel for air flow. I have shelves built all around my garage except for this 8 foot section. I did have to work around a cabinet. Ok now I can type took the baby maran out of my sleeve, haha. Here are some photos. Its not pretty, but working well. My girls are out all day from 7 til dark. I do have the outside coop which I open when I let them out of the garage coop so they can use the nesting boxes. I put a Rubbermaid on its side in the garage coop, but they don't seem to like it. I have had a problem with a hawk a couple of times, but the crows usually sound off and I and the dog chase him off. Hope this helps

 

[SixChickFlock]

Yikes.  Thankfully your predator warning system was fully functional.  For us, it's the loud blue jays.  Mine too know how to take cover quickly when a hawk appears.  It's when you don't hear the warning that causes trouble.  Sometimes the hawks circle up high for a while & swoop down to surprise.  Whenever I see one, I make sure the dogs are outside.  You could try changing up the routine a little for the next few days.  Hawks are smart & will stop by around the same time each day if they think there's prey available.

I left for work before daylight today. The three new gals were already on the roost in the run, heads down like geese... Looking into the yard. The rest were under the coop. No one wanted to come out. And then I saw the hawk fly away... He was watching! I left them in the coop for the day. I'm glad they're safe and alert!

 

[Nwchickma]

Thanks for sharing Sixchickflock! So sorry that hawk is hanging around, glad your girls are smart and staying hidden.

I grabbed an old XL dog crate from a friend. Lined the bottom and one side with plastic to keep in the shavings. Put a bar for roosting across the middle. Used the pallets I had to make a "run" outside of the dog crate. Now they've got plenty of room in the garage and I can lock them up nice and secure in case a raccoon gets in the garage.

 

[ChicagoClucker]

Need advice on when I should move my (at the moment 7 week old legbars) out to the garage coop. I brought them out to the coop this morning and let them stay out til the weather began to turn cold. It is not heated. They do have all their feathers, but just worried it will be too cold for them. Has anyone else hatched late?

 

[NotAFarm]

CC, How many are there?

 

[ChicagoClucker]

There are 6 legbars and 3 older hens already in the coop

 

[NotAFarm]

I have two chicks hatched the last week of September, a bit over 8 weeks old. They are still with their mommas (unusual for my Icelandic hens to still be mothering this long) so have someone to snuggle next to for shared warmth. Since you have 6, they should snuggle together to share body heat. I don't think it would be a problem to move them. This week is suppose to be more seasonal so it would be a good time. How did the 3 hens treat them when you put them in the coop?

 

[ChicagoClucker]

My 3 older girls free range all day, so I just closed the coop door and let the babies have it all to themselves. When I move them in, I figured I would move the dog crate I have them in now, so the older girls can meet them and not hurt them.

 

[NotAFarm]

I think it is a good idea to let the young ones in the coop during the day so that they feel comfortable there before adding the older hens. Maybe try letting the hens enter the coop when the youngsters are still in there and see how they react to one another. That could give you an idea whether you will need to use the dog crate for separation.