Adolph Otto
Songster
Being complacent and procrastinating always comes back to bite you, like a hawk. That's what happened Tuesday, when we lost June, 6 month-old sister of April and May, to a hawk.
Four months ago, I built an 8x8 pen, 4 feet high (not thought out, should have been higher), from straight trees, which I stripped of bark, and covered all around in HC. I framed out a small door. It looks pretty neat, certainly old-fashioned, rustic. The problem was, I put off putting a proper cover on it, instead laying 8-foot poles (straight trees from the property) about 10 inches apart on top. I didn't think a hawk would ever fit through that space, nor did I think it possible that a hawk would willingly jump into an enclosed "cage." Well, by now its probably obvious what happened. And with no incidents for the last 4 months (there was a close call with a coyote while they were foraging, the very reason I built the pen), I deceived myself into thinking all was well. I am blessed to work from home, so I can keep a close eye on the birds.
Anyway, I went out Tuesday afternoon and knew immediately something was wrong. No hens in sight. Long story short, I found June dead behind the coop. The hawk lifted her (my biggest English Orp) straight up and out. The other 2 (I only have 3) were hiding. Somehow they flew up and out. They were pretty shocked.
Since then (2 nights) the other 2 have started sleeping on the floor of the coop. Tonight I went out and lifted them on to the roost, and they did stay. They seemed much better today than yesterday, each laying an egg this morning, but still didn't voluntarily roost.
I also want to get another hen. I have the opportunity to get a 4-month old Black Australorp. Any thoughts on this?
The worst part is the fact that this just seems like a very unfortunate waste of a really nice chicken, which should have been averted. At least I fixed the problem yesterday, covering the run with wire.
Four months ago, I built an 8x8 pen, 4 feet high (not thought out, should have been higher), from straight trees, which I stripped of bark, and covered all around in HC. I framed out a small door. It looks pretty neat, certainly old-fashioned, rustic. The problem was, I put off putting a proper cover on it, instead laying 8-foot poles (straight trees from the property) about 10 inches apart on top. I didn't think a hawk would ever fit through that space, nor did I think it possible that a hawk would willingly jump into an enclosed "cage." Well, by now its probably obvious what happened. And with no incidents for the last 4 months (there was a close call with a coyote while they were foraging, the very reason I built the pen), I deceived myself into thinking all was well. I am blessed to work from home, so I can keep a close eye on the birds.
Anyway, I went out Tuesday afternoon and knew immediately something was wrong. No hens in sight. Long story short, I found June dead behind the coop. The hawk lifted her (my biggest English Orp) straight up and out. The other 2 (I only have 3) were hiding. Somehow they flew up and out. They were pretty shocked.
Since then (2 nights) the other 2 have started sleeping on the floor of the coop. Tonight I went out and lifted them on to the roost, and they did stay. They seemed much better today than yesterday, each laying an egg this morning, but still didn't voluntarily roost.
I also want to get another hen. I have the opportunity to get a 4-month old Black Australorp. Any thoughts on this?
The worst part is the fact that this just seems like a very unfortunate waste of a really nice chicken, which should have been averted. At least I fixed the problem yesterday, covering the run with wire.
How old are your existing hens??
