Just kind of discouraged. Horrible update: post 29, I think. So sad.

[BWchicken]

Oh no, how awful! I'm so sorry for your losses. I'm afraid given your current setup this will keep happening, the hawks have found a chicken buffet and they will come back again and again. You have got to get some sort of covered run to protect them. Our run is completely covered with chicken wire and it's the best thing we did. I see the hawks circling and looking but they can't get to my chickens. Some people take the losses in stride and go on, but ours are more like pets so losses can be tragic for us. I do wish my chickens could enjoy free ranging, but there are just too many predators in our area and I can't risk it. Their run is pretty big and they are happy and healthy. Please don't give up on chickens, they are such a joy, but do provide them a covered run if possible. It's not the same as free ranging, but it's worth it to have happy protected birds and you and your kids won't have to go through this again. I'm so sorry this happened to you and your children, my heart goes out to you.

 

[augustwest]

You're right. It will keep happening. We do have a covered run but it's very small- maybe 12x4. We've got our 2 poor hens in lockdown now. They are there for the foreseeable future.

 

[EweSheep]

Well how did the hawk get in if your runs were covered?

Just don't give up, just keep trying to predator proof it.

 

[augustwest]

Sorry- the run is in our fenced in back yard. They were really free ranging, I guess, in the back yard. That's uncovered, obviously. Though, we did let them free range for real when we were home on our acre of land.

I'm ok with free ranging and the occasional loss. They Love it and we spoiled them. I felt our run was too small for all of them. It's certainly great for 2.

This was insult to injury. Too many losses. Too little time.

 

[BigDaddy'sGurl]

I may be crazy, but I do not think it is a hawk. I've been fortunate enough to not have to deal with one YET, but it seems to me that if it were hawks you would have a body or two missing. Especially pullets or little silkies. And more would be eaten. Hawks don't kill for fun, they kill for food. Sounds like you have a dog or other 'larger than bird' predator on your hands. Hang in there! Maybe invest in a game cam or just do a stakeout yourself? Awful as it sounds, use one of the killed birds as bait when the kids are asleep or gone for the day and keep watch...you may be surprised!

 

[augustwest]

I'm just not being clear. Sorry! There is one PR body. Our silkie pullet is totally gone. No sign of her. The silkie rooster is also gone, but his feathers are all over- they seem to be mostly in 2 big piles. Seemed like a hawk since there was that feather explosion?

 

[terrilhb]

I am so sorry. I have only prayers for you. Take care and if you need to talk I will listen.

 

[Chicken Frenzie]

Kepp doing it! We've lost lots of ours, but you can't help it. It's LIFE! Keep going, get some mor birds, be HAPPY!

 

[BigDaddy'sGurl]

Quote:
Don't apologize! I misunderstood, you were being very clear! With a feather pile or two, it probably was a hawk. I would just make doubly sure the coop/run are secure and keep a close eye on the last two girls. If you do decide to add more girls later on, just expand the run. I am sorry you are going through this! Best wishes and keep us updated!

 

[augustwest]

Thank you.

More hawk evidence, I guess. The PR body was in a pile of snow- no prints near her. Not even my dog's prints. Their food was knocked over, though, like there had been a struggle. It's a 6 foot fence. Maybe it was a coyote?

Ugh.