Lost two Silkies to Hawk

[kkincaid13]

I am brokenhearted. A hawk took two of my silkies this week. I got home and went to check on the birds, and saw feathers everywhere. I thought all three had been killed. My Buff Orpingtons were hiding in brush. One was on the other side of my fence. The hawk was literally sitting at the water bowl taking it easy. I had to go out of the front of my house and into neighbors yard to pick up the Orpington. As I was putting her in the coop I heard a peeping at my feet. It was littlest Silkie- Betty! She is black, so must have melted into shadows under a bush. I am grateful she survived. She seems to be the most traumatized of the teenagers. The Orpingstons have each other, she kind of tags along. I worry they will pick on her. My "street chicken" Ruby, a production Red, was hiding on the other side of the yard under heavy shrubbery. I have the opportunity to have Betty as a classroom pet for my high school classroom. I have a large 18" x 36" guinea pig cage the chicks stayed in as tinies. Will this suffice? She will get a diaper and get to run around a bit as well. Would a rooster really help with this situation? I really liked the hens free roaming, but not at the cost of their lives.

RIP Marilyn and Ava

 

[ChickenCanoe]

That's always a traumatic discovery. I've encountered disasters more than I care to recall.
Because I free range, the vulnerability to predation for crested birds is why I won't own them any more. A polish, houdan, silkie, etc. just can't see a hawk coming.

 

[chickens really]

Today a Hawk attacked my little Silkie Hen. I was able to get it off her although she has injuries..
Lady was coming for Chicks so I locked up my big dogs and was halfway through the house when my chickens began screaming..The Hawk was on top of her and then tried to drag her away with one talon..
I think Bindi was barking and keeping the Hawk away and when I locked her up it pounced my Silkie..
My dogs definitely alert me and I'm too stupid to let them do what they are here for..

 

[HAPPYCHICKENLADY17]

i have my silkies in a covered run, wasnt taking any chances on losing them to any predators..my adult chickens do have a free run not covered,,,,,but all in a covered coop at night, did lose a crested polish and a silkie at 4 weeks old a few months ago....i was devastated so added the wire roof......

 

[chickens really]

i have my silkies in a covered run, wasnt taking any chances on losing them to any preditors..my adult chickens do have a free run not covered,,,,,but all in a covered coop at night, did lose a crested polish and a silkie at 4 weeks old a few months ago....i was devastated so added the wire roof......

My Birds have a wonderful covered run and Coop but were out to forage a couple of hours and I was on my way to lock everyone up...

 

[chickens really]

My Birds area and where Bonnie was attacked..

 

[janiedoe]

I'm so sorry for you and your hens. I've read that after a hawk spots them you need to keep them in for a few weeks until the hawk gives up and moves on.
I lost my favorite lavender orpington to a hawk early this year. I kept my in for several weeks except when I was outside with them. I spotted hawks twice during that time. The hawk finally moved on, but I expect the hawks will return this fall
Again, I am so sorry for your loss.

 

[kkincaid13]

Thank y'all very much. I am concerned about the lone silkie being picked on by Orpingon's due to being smallest bird in the coop. I can take her to be my classroom pet. I have high school students and am strict on behavior. I have a guinea pig with middle school students, and he was most beloved. Should I just leave her to the birds, or bring her in with the kiddos? She is hanging on the couch with me now, and seems to be the most relaxed she has been since the attack. I don't want to do what is not best out of fear for her safety. I had a lone bantam rooster that was killed by the other standard chickens many years ago, so I tend to be overly cautious. I will be adding cross fencing to protect the chickens from our dogs, building a large run with roofing or netting attached so raptors can't get in. I worry the least about Ruby Red (pictured in avatar), because she was running the streets in the area. She is very "streetwise". My babies are not!!

 

[cmom]

That is the risk of free ranging. It's wonderful to see the birds roaming around in a yard but eventually they will be discovered. Everything likes chickens, even the males if they can be caught.