INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[SallyinIndiana]

Quote: Our second hawk attack happened when I was less than 5 feet from the 4 week old chicks I had in the yard with me. It was amazing how in less than a second my opinion of birds of prey drastically changed. No more awe of their lovely flight or pretty colors. But instead a realization that a hawk could do some serious damage to me should it attack me for some reason. Honestly up close a red tail hawk, an owl, or even an eagle would be great in a haunted house.

Well I finally got my 530 am wake-up call to the post office this morning! They are smaller than I thought which is great and they aren't terrified of me! Also great! They've obviously been handled often.

Soo much more beautiful than I could have imagined! Pics just don't do them justice!

I've left them in the box for now so they can relax from the trip. Given them scrambled eggs and water.

How old are these 2? They are so pretty. Once you get a few more from hatching, you might be able to show them off at fancy weddings. After all if someone will pay for live doves or even live swans, these would be worth a fortune.

 

[ellymayRans]

Our second hawk attack happened when I was less than 5 feet from the 4 week old chicks I had in the yard with me.  It was amazing how in less than a second my opinion of birds of prey drastically changed.  No more awe of their lovely flight or pretty colors.  But instead a realization that a hawk could do some serious damage to me should it attack me for some reason.  Honestly up close a red tail hawk, an owl, or even an eagle would be great in a haunted house.

How old are these 2?  They are so pretty.  Once you get a few more from hatching, you might be able to show them off at fancy weddings.  After all if someone will pay for live doves or even live swans, these would be worth a fortune.

Thanks! I do love them! They were just hatched in Mid-late June. I'm hoping for hens to add to my IB boy harem but if I have a pair I won't complain either!
A pair would for sure make beautiful wedding decor..but they would have to be very tame for that excitement!

 

[Minminme]

Depending on dates, I may be able to help.

Thank you! I'll let you know when things are finalized.

 

[Minminme]

Looking for 2-3 BO, Marans or Cochin pullets at least fully feathered so they can b out in a grow out pen. Leah's Mom n I are trying to arrange a chicken train so I can get a bird for her from VA, if someone has these that could b arranged t b picked up and put "on the train" for my stop in Richmond VA would b appreciated.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Looking for 2-3 BO, Marans or Cochin pullets at least fully feathered so they can b out in a grow out pen. Leah's Mom n I are trying to arrange a chicken train so I can get a bird for her from VA, if someone has these that could b arranged t b picked up and put "on the train" for my stop in Richmond VA would b appreciated.

I think you mean Richmond IN?

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

Color me corrected and happily schooled  ... I have learned something new!

Not a problem. Glad I could help out!

can any one tell me what this is, Hawk or falcon? I found its pic on line but not a name. I beat it with a broom this morning after it got tangled in the deer netting above my Silkie pen. Thank God I got the netting up before this darn thing showed up, and it didn't care that I was standing 10 or 15 feet away either. First time one of these ever got close let alone actually try to strike.  I've had chicken hawks a time or 2 but nothing as bold as this, and it would not have been able to fly away with Romeo or the ISA's in with him, they are way to big for this bird. It would have had to dine-in and did it really think I was going to allow that??? I was standing right there!!! I'm sorry I'm kinda shook up right now. I need to go check on the kids again broom in hand!!

The URL of the picture says it's a Prairie Falcon. You can tell this bird is a falcon by its shape and that pretty distinguishing malar mark. Prairie Falcons only occur in the western U.S., so this was definitely not what you saw. If it was similar, it could have been a Merlin. There are some hawks with similar appearances as well, though they do not have that bold malar stripe like most falcons have.

Thank goodness for that netting! Hopefully an encounter with a broom-wielding chicken guardian will be enough to make it think twice about a chicken dinner!

I generally don't like white-plumed birds, but these guys... Glad they arrived safe and sound!

Oh my, bless her little heart! That is horrible for her, glad she is ok and he was "dispatched".
I don't have calls, but my muscovy did not do well in sub zero. At the time, I only had 4. I brought them into the unheated porch (concrete floor thankfully) until the sub zero past. They became lethargic. and I rushed them indoors.

Agree about the rooster--human aggression is not something that should be put up with, especially since it can pass on to the offspring of an aggressive rooster!


Just as a note on the ducks, I can't answer the original question except to say that most people on the duck forum say that calls are fine in winter. I just wanted to point out that, being that Muscovies are a totally different species than all other duck breeds, they have different needs. Muscovies, who are native to central and south America, are more vulnerable to the cold. Most other breeds of duck are descendants of Mallards, who can and do survive in our climate year round.

That being said, since calls are literally the smallest breed of duck, and knowing at least in chickens that bantams sometimes have a harder time with the cold due mainly to a lower thermal capacitance, I couldn't say for sure on the durability of call ducks, especially having had only 12 days experience with one little duckling. All I know is that a lot of people say calls can do winter weather just fine. I personally plan to use observation when I get my calls and only intervene if they appear to struggle. That seems like the best strategy for any poultry species.

 

[chick rookie]

The problem causing hawks to have such boldness, I think, is that we have removed their natural predators.

Since they're a "protected species", they have few if any natural predators and, therefore, no need to fear.

I agree 100%

can any one tell me what this is, Hawk or falcon?

This is a Kestral or also known as a sparrow hawk. It is the smallest of the falcons. Falcons have pointed wings.

I too am surprised that they would attack a LF.

The LF didnt work out so well for it... So it started on my romeo's pen when I caught it in the act... I had to repair the LF netting in 1 spot, and the Silkie net was not hurt, but then I was standing right there!!! That is what is amazing to me the most... I was standing right there, now I dont want to ever let them out again...

Well I finally got my 530 am wake-up call to the post office this morning! They are smaller than I thought which is great and they aren't terrified of me! Also great! They've obviously been handled often.

Soo much more beautiful than I could have imagined! Pics just don't do them justice!

I've left them in the box for now so they can relax from the trip. Given them scrambled eggs and water.

Beautiful

You might try and put an owl decoy in the tree. Don't know for sure but it might help.

gonna get one tomorrow... good ideal I think if I put it in her tree she wont roost in it... and I am going to get the bobble head owl so they don't get used to it not moving.... O wait... well they stop running and hiding from the real thing if they get used to the fake one being around all the time????

Our second hawk attack happened when I was less than 5 feet from the 4 week old chicks I had in the yard with me. It was amazing how in less than a second my opinion of birds of prey drastically changed. No more awe of their lovely flight or pretty colors. But instead a realization that a hawk could do some serious damage to me should it attack me for some reason. Honestly up close a red tail hawk, an owl, or even an eagle would be great in a haunted house.

How old are these 2? They are so pretty. Once you get a few more from hatching, you might be able to show them off at fancy weddings. After all if someone will pay for live doves or even live swans, these would be worth a fortune.

I think they would be too...

 

[sunflour]

Our second hawk attack happened when I was less than 5 feet from the 4 week old chicks I had in the yard with me. It was amazing how in less than a second my opinion of birds of prey drastically changed. No more awe of their lovely flight or pretty colors. But instead a realization that a hawk could do some serious damage to me should it attack me for some reason. Honestly up close a red tail hawk, an owl, or even an eagle would be great in a haunted house.

How old are these 2? They are so pretty. Once you get a few more from hatching, you might be able to show them off at fancy weddings. After all if someone will pay for live doves or even live swans, these would be worth a fortune.

Thanks for the info on the attacks. That's why my 6 girls only had a few days out of their confinement, ever. All it took for me to freak out was a hawk flying a ways off, but when I heard it, it scared me greatly. Mine are now 19 months old and are totally in confinement….but spacious and they are very happy. But I still hope to give them a playground for variety, but have had the fear I may not be able to protect them even sitting as close as you describe. It will motivate me to make sure the outside area is more fortified than I thought I needed.

I am so jealous of those who let theirs free range, the romantic idea of letting them "help" me in my flower beds or gardens is gone.

I am far from an expert on hawks or falcons, I can't tell a cooper hawk from a red tail hawk, although they are plentiful in this area. But take a look at on line photos and descriptions from my previous post. Photo I found looked exactly like the one you first posted.

Keep your flock safe. I had planned ammo when I do get the playground done, but sounds like I need to keep a broom instead...

Addendum: I'm in Georgia not Indiana, but your post on the attack caught my attention.

 

[Leahs Mom]

I have to say...
We have hawks here every day. My birds are all still free-ranging. They learn very quickly how to take care of themselves.

I did lose one to a hawk in the last 2.5 years. That particular bird was what I called "hawk-fodder" by her behavior. I told my husband that she was going to be the first to be killed by a predator. She wouldn't "flock" and always acted like she was afraid of the flock. Very flighty at the tiniest thing. She would "freak out" and run around and away from the flock as a matter of course. Was always on the perimeters of the little wooded area instead of with the gang. I actually think she had a "mental disorder" and wasn't quite "right". Never had any other bird act that way except her daughter which I hatched quite by mistake thinking the egg was from a different bird.

That doesn't mean that a "normal" chicken won't ever be taken by a hawk. And I do watch hawk patterns and try to change things up from time to time. I also try to do everything I can to scare them. The Indiana DNR recommends "Bird Bangers" or "Cracker Shells" which I had never heard of. I was just about to get some when we had a death in the family and got deterred and haven't gotten back to it. Bird bangers require the purchase of a "launcher" pistol; Cracker shells are shot from a 12 gauge shotgun. They are like shooting a "firecracker". You shoot it and it "bangs" near the bird to scare them. I'm probably going to go ahead and get some when I get back to it.

http://www.jpfbirdscare.com/Products/BirdBanger03.html

For 12 Guage:
http://margosupplies.com/public/american1/scare/12_gauge_carts.htm
http://www.jpfbirdscare.com/Products/Shellcrackers.html


Anyhow..
If you want to free range, do. Don't be foolish and put them out in an open field with nothing to run under for cover. But I really encourage you to let them be chickens if at all possible. If you know hawks are watching, change the times you open their gate so there isn't a normal time or pattern, etc. It's just so much better for them to get to run outside if at all possible.

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

Picture time!! I think this used to be a silver Sebright. Poor Frannie's having a rough molt...

Next to Scooter, who has already molted:

And while I'm at it, here's good ol' Cubby, my 9 1/2 year old Easter-egger, looking fabulous after her molt:

Louise, my young Black Copper Marans, who has not had the pleasure of experiencing a real molt yet:

Frou-Frou's starting into her molt! She looks so round without her tail!

Poor Rangi needs to molt and grow back in some less tattered feathers. And she needs a napkin.