I have had chickens for a little over a year and just lost my first to a hawk. I had a cat attack a few months ago, but this is the first attack I have witnessed. I have bantam cochins that free range in the backyard all day since I work from home and keep an eye on them. One of my bantams has 6 one month old chicks. I was working at my computer when I heard the girls freaking out, I looked out the window to see a hawk swooping down....I got out the door just as it picked up one of the chicks and flew away. I am so bummed......I am ok with losing them to natural causes like illness etc....but predators really make me peeved!
I guess mom and chicks are going to have to stay in the pen until they get bigger or I am in the backyard with them.
Questions:
I am fairly certain that the hawk will be back again for another easy meal when it gets hungry......do you think it would go after one of my adults if the chicks are locked up?
How long until the hawk moves on to another hunting ground?
My girls love free ranging and would be very cranky if I now made them stay in their run the majority of the time.
Questions:
I am fairly certain that the hawk will be back again for another easy meal when it gets hungry......do you think it would go after one of my adults if the chicks are locked up?
How long until the hawk moves on to another hunting ground?
My girls love free ranging and would be very cranky if I now made them stay in their run the majority of the time.