My brave WR Rooster killed by hawk today...

[Nic&Chickies]

Quote:

It sounds like they are completely free run. Is it possible to give the ones who remain a little less freedom, maybe give them a smaller fenced-in area, so you can put more netting above them? (That is what we did after the husky dog incident, and we added netting when we started noticing the crows chasing a hawk)

 

[Bizzybirdy]

Not actually free ranging...well I have two totally fenced in areas, one huge yard attached to the chicken houses and another 30 by 100 ft. next to the side of my house which is where I let the broody hens and babies and youngsters and a couple of young roos hang out. This is where the hawk attacked..a protected area where one can also find quite a few of my big, fat cats. (Apparently that was not a deterrent either.

There are lots of bushes and a few trees and a garage area where they all go to nest at night. Am just surprised that this hawk actually killed my full grown rooster....maybe because it's smaller intended meal menu had been interrupted at the last minute.

 

[LaurelRidgeDreams]

Maybe keep them locked up until the hawk moves on?

 

[jjthink]

I am so very sorry. A sweet and selfless roo is one of the most amazing beings gracing this earth and my heart breaks for him, you, and his girls. Having just lost my 9+ year old BJ roo (found him gone in the house he shared with Ellie

) I know the gut wrenching feeling of this loss. I only hope that it was extremely quick for your guy, as tends to be the case with hawks.

JJ

 

[RingedTeal]

We have a Bald Eagle(it is beautiful)at my Grandpas' pond that my Uncle,cousin, and me watched it take a(wild) duck from his pond.

 

[Bizzybirdy]

^ Wow...a duck is pretty heavy! Did it lift it off the pond?

No sign of the hawk today... I know it will be back.

> JJ: So sorry about your roo, BJ. He just disappeared?? How sad.

 

[stilldeb]

So sorry about your roo. So many people have posted hawk stories lately, they seem to be very active now. We have one pestering us right now, too. They are very territorial and once they set up housekeeping in your area, they are there for awhile. Ours was sitting on top of our (covered) chicken pen the other day. Now, of course, I'm scared to let anybody out in the yard because he is pretty brave - my coops are right outside my back door.

 

[chkn]

I'm sad for you. He looked like a nice one too.

 

[fuzzybutt love]

That is horrible We have one in the area too. I'm afraid to let mine out unless i'm right there. I had one try to get my cat a couple years ago- while i was holding his leash?! I was sitting down in my camper door with it, and suddenly heard whoosh whoosh; I stood up in surprise and he was only about 6 " from MY head. I don't know who was more surprised. I hate to say it but once a wild animal finds a meal ticket area they are there to stay until they die or you take away all incentive. We did shoot firecrackers in the air at the one that was trying to get my cat-he came back the next day after the first incident. After a week of banging he did finally leave. But now he's back... In my area it's perfectly legal to shoot to protect your livestock. You would not think after being so close to a human he would have been back, but right the next day, then all the firecrackers. Hawks are a serious threat for sure.

 

[Evelle]

WHAT A GOOD BOY HE WAS!!!
i had a barred rock that was just fearless!
sorry for your loss of roo boy