Keep Franken-hen safe from another hawk attack

[Michael OShay]

Thanks, everyone. Hholy, thanks for the link. I might try that along the main path where most of the chickens hang out, but it would cost too much to cover the orchard. So I guess we'll have to limit free range territory until the trees grow bigger or put up another fence. Sigh. Sad to say, the girls don't lay if they don't get out to play. Actually, most aren't laying much now that it's colder. I hope that's normal during winter. Only the leghorns and a couple of Marans are regular contributors.

Yes, a winter slowdown is normal. Good luck!

You're welcome, and X2 on Hholly's post.

 

[trailrider330]

Welcome to the BYC flock! We are glad you joined us!

 

[sherahart]

Wow! I forgot all about this post until I found it viewing my profile. Sad to say, I lost 3 more chickens in the last week even though we covered the entire main complex years ago and hubby added overhead wires in the orchard where my standard breeds still free range. This summer, I started letting the Silkies out in a small area near the barn. I thought the flight path was too limited for a hawk to come in, but I was sooo wrong. My best white Silkie hen's head got torn off, and I left her body there to see if the same predator would come back for more. Next morning, I found a brown and white striped hawk smaller than the hen trying to carry off the rest of her body. It had trouble lifting, and eventually let go. Next day I found a juvenile Marans with it's head torn off behind the coop on the back side of one of the covered runs, and the next day, a Polish x Silkie hen inside the same run. My husband saw that hawk the next day not long after he opened the run gates. He said it's a Cooper's Hawk, and it was flying inside the runs to attack chickens! Hubby installed more overhead wires, but it remains to be seen whether they can keep out that wily hawk. I doubt it could haul off an English Orpington or most standard breeds, so I'm moving my smaller chickens to safer areas. The poor Polkie hen and the Marans juvenile had only been in that run a few days. Wish I hadn't moved them but will be more careful in future. I just feel bad that free ranging is over for the Silkies. They still run to the gate to get out in the morning. Sigh.

 

[drumstick diva]

You need a better cover on the runs, something solid that will keep hawks out, also will provide shade and some protection from rain/snow.

 

[DobieLover]

A very belated welcome to BYC.
Sorry to read that you've continued to lose birds to the hawk. It certainly sounds like you need to build a large run with a solid roof and keep them confined. The hawk has an easy food source now.

 

[TwoCrows]

So sorry you are still losing birds. As others have mentioned, you need to enclose your run. Put a roof on it, 1/2 inch hardware cloth on the sides and keep the birds contained until you can supervise their free range time.

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Hello!
Welcome to our FUNomenal community!
Best wishes and have Lots of FUN!!
I'm so sorry for your losses.... Bear hugs!

 

[rjohns39]

Hi and a belated welcome to BYC We're so happy you've decided to join us

So sorry for your losses

 

[sourland]

Although that hawk can not carry off large fowl, it can harass and kill them. I agree with the need for a covered pen.

 

[BullChick]

A belated welcome. I’m so sorry about your flock.
In the U.S., free range birds are actually only required access to the outdoors. If you put the girls in a run, you can still sell free range eggs. I also want to confirm that laying slows down or stops during the shorter days.