Illinois...

[Faraday40]

I put the chickens out this morning at 7 and about 30 mins later went to check on them and they were hiding in the garage. The dog was staring at the tree, which she does to watch squirrels. I followed her sight line and a big fat squirrel sat frozen about 2 feet behind it sat a HUGE red-tailed hawk! That sucker was big and about 50ft from the garage. The girls must have seen him swoop in for the squirrel and took cover.

I live about a mile from Faraday, these raptors must be hungry!

Yikes! Another friend in town has also been keeping her flock cooped up. Glad yours made it to the garage. If a giant Red Tailed Hawk got a hen, she would just simply vanish w/o a trace.

I gave mine about 15 min of yard time today as I cleaned the coop, filled feeders, etc. I was tempted to leave them out longer. Now, I'm so glad I put them away before going back into the house. Thankfully, I have an obedient bunch. They listen well when called, but they always forget the rule about NOT digging in my flower beds.

Could the hawks be out b/c of the mild weather? (More prey animals are taking advantage of the mild temps, so the hawks are happy hunting.) Or, was it a very good breeding season, so there's more hawks?

 

[MeepBeep]

Could the hawks be out b/c of the mild weather?  (More prey animals are taking advantage of the mild temps, so the hawks are happy hunting.)  Or, was it a very good breeding season, so there's more hawks?

It's normal in Illinois for the Hawks to move away from the now cut down and harvested farm fields and migrate more towards small patches of forest/trees or residential areas (that contain patches of trees and cover) during the winter months as they follow their prey that has also abandoned the cut down and harvested farm fields seeking winter cover...

 

[ChicagoClucker]

I heard my girls squawking today, went out to check on them and there was the hawk again sitting on the fence. It took off as soon as I came out. The girls were hiding under the deck. This hawk has been around here since last year.

 

[SixChickFlock]

Lots of squawking at my house today... So I immediately looked out my office window and there was the hawk, perched on my covered pergola over my patio looking down at the girls. The hens had all taken cover, some on the patio under furniture and others to the far corners of the yard. No one injured.

When I wanted to know where the hawk was, all I had to do was follow the eyes of the squawking hens. It took a while to gather them all up this time. No one wanted to make that 15 yard dash from the patio to the coop.

And me, running around the yard like a rooster...Whew!

 

[Nwchickma]

Lots of squawking at my house today... So I immediately  looked out my office window and there was the hawk, perched on my covered pergola over my patio looking down at the girls. The hens had all taken cover, some on the patio under furniture and others to the far corners of the yard. No one injured.

When I wanted to know where the hawk was, all I had to do was follow the eyes of the squawking hens. It took a while to gather them all up this time. No one wanted to make that 15 yard dash from the patio to the coop.

 And me, running around the yard like a rooster...Whew!

Glad your girls were ok! I have a pretty funny image of your rooster impression in my head! LOL

The hawks are everywhere right now over by me in westmont. The girls aren't happy about their limited yard time, especially since they can dig around in the yard with the nicer weather. Today their little toes and beaks were all muddy. I can't imagine they are digging up bugs but they sure are trying.

 

[SixChickFlock]

Thanks. I'm certain I looked pretty silly!

Mine gals were out for a while today. We have been getting one egg every other day for weeks. Always, they alternate between 58 and 63 grams and in color and texture. Today we got an unexpected egg at 48 grams and it was a bit darker than the others. I think that Dot has laid her first egg!!! Dot is part of our original 6, hatched in late February.... Been waiting for her for a long time. She's a favorite of mine! Lately if I call her name she squats in front of me. She spent many hours on my lap eating meal worms last summer while recovering from some respiratory ailment. Barred Rock... Such a sweetie.

Astrid, my best layer (Buff Orpington) and top of the pecking order started molting a week or more ago. Last night while putting June Bug on the roost, I checked on Astrid and found a huge bare spot on her breast. I'm not worried but hope the weather holds until she grows more feathers. We gave the girls an extra treat of tuna with sunflower seeds and other grains today. Hoping that extra protein will help those new feathers grow in,.

It's a disease perhaps.... But I can't help spreading the chicken thing to willing listeners during this holiday party season. Looks like I'll have new chicken visitors after the first of the year.

 

[Faraday40]

Yes chickens are very addictive. I've been spreading it around the local schools. Thankfully all our neighbors love our flock. When I have extra eggs, I sell them to friends or give them as gifs. Most get hooked after just one egg. Right now we barely have enough eggs to feed ourselves, so I'm really looking forward to spring.

Great News: Today is the shortest day of the year, so tomorrow the days begin to grow longer!

More good news:
We have a new layer!

We have a new layer!

We have a new layer!

The jumbo pinkish egg is from Precious. I suspect the little pullet egg is from Cuddles or Hope. DL is also a possibility, but her comb is not quite as dark. Now we have a fun mystery to solve.

 

[Faraday40]

Thanks. I'm certain I looked pretty silly!

Mine gals were out for a while today. We have been getting one egg every other day for weeks. Always, they alternate between 58 and 63 grams and in color and texture. Today we got an unexpected egg at 48 grams and it was a bit darker than the others. I think that Dot has laid her first egg!!! Dot is part of our original 6, hatched in late February.... Been waiting for her for a long time. She's a favorite of mine! Lately if I call her name she squats in front of me. She spent many hours on my lap eating meal worms last summer while recovering from some respiratory ailment. Barred Rock... Such a sweetie.

Astrid, my best layer (Buff Orpington) and top of the pecking order started molting a week or more ago. Last night while putting June Bug on the roost, I checked on Astrid and found a huge bare spot on her breast. I'm not worried but hope the weather holds until she grows more feathers. We gave the girls an extra treat of tuna with sunflower seeds and other grains today. Hoping that extra protein will help those new feathers grow in,.

It's a disease perhaps.... But I can't help spreading the chicken thing to willing listeners during this holiday party season. Looks like I'll have new chicken visitors after the first of the year.

If she's molting, she'll look prickly where bald & avoid being touched.
Here's a very extreme molt. (She's beautiful now.) Most lose feathers in smaller patches.

 

[SixChickFlock]

City news...

Astrid is molting (Thanks for the picture, Faraday!)... And it looks like Nellie is starting a molt which is most apparent on her face. Maybe Chipmonk, too. They all share a hatch date, or at least an adoption date.We've been trying to get extra protein to those who are molting. Just picked up some seemingly high quality cat kibble (at 32% protein?) to that end. Thinking they will not get it everyday. Maybe every third day?

And someone else has started laying eggs!!! There are 3 candidates, but I think it' our 10 month old Dot! She's been extremely attentive to me, and often squats when I call her name. Two perfect medium size eggs in two days... Today is the first day we've received more than one egg for quite a while.

Merry Christmas to many... And Happy Holidays to the rest!

 

[Faraday40]

My oldest birds didn't molt until age 16-18 months. (& Two haven't stare yet) A couple of the pullets hatched this spring molted at only 6 months old. It seems so random - especially when they choose to molt in December. The extra protein is good. I'm not sure which sources are better than others. I've been using a Feather fixer formula (type of chicken feed). I think it helps them grow back their feathers faster. Others have mentioned great results from "Calf Manna," but I don't have a cow. (only a big dog that eats like one!)

Congrats on the new layer! I got 2 pullet eggs yesterday & another this morning. It's possible that all 3 of my suspects started laying this week. Today's egg came from DL. I saw it drop out all warm & wet. Then she walked out & started singing the egg song in the run. It was my bright spot on this dreary, rainy day.