my future silkies and hawks

[Silkie2]

I know I have a lot of silkies related threads I'm just trying to make sure my silkies will be safe.
Anyways.. On to my question, so I read somewhere that hawks and other predator birds will be able to spot the crest of a silkies easily, the pen does not have a top (the pen is fairly large) there are little shelters throughout the pen, will they be okay, I have goats out there I only had one time where a hawk tried to come but landed on the fence and then flew away. Will my silkies be safe? I have the goats and dog out there (the dog is an aussie)

 

[sourland]

The dog may help deter hawk attacks, but they can be very tenacious and silkies with their reduced vision (large crests) can become easy targets. Can you attach a small covered pen to their coop so that they can be secured if a hawk starts attacking?

 

[Silkie2]

We have an old run that's attached to the pen maybe I could get a roof over that and fix it up and put a shelter in there. I don't know, maybe. I wouldn't be getting a white one, cause I know they attract hawks more. But I don't want the 2 silkies to be cooped up in a small area. Is there a way so that I can put them in there when i'm not there and let them out when I am? I had planned that they could go to sleep in the big coop with the others, FYI I don't have a rooster so I don't need to worry about him beating up on them

 

[Whittni]

Actually, a white roof or a reflective one is a good idea. It can blind the bird looking down. I've seen people use old CDs on their roofs for the same purpose.

 

[Silkie2]

oooohh i like the cd one!! I think i could do that. So just put cds on the roof?

 

[Whittni]

oooohh i like the cd one!! I think i could do that. So just put cds on the roof?

Yep, shiny side up if one side is painted or something. Just sort blanket rows on top.

 

[Folly's place]

Bantams are an easier target for hawks, and crested type bantams can't see well, especially up, so they are even more at risk. A covered run and safe coop will be essential for their safety, with free ranging at times. When I loose a bird (usually a bantam) to a hawk, my flock is locked in their run for ten to fourteen days, usually long enough for that particular hawk to give up and move on. Silkies are really cute, but small, can't see well, can't fly, and really vulnerable. Mary

 

[scooter147]

my cousin lost all her silkies to hawks. She said the silkies never saw the hawk coming. The other chickens would run for their lives and the silkies stood around wondering where every one went and boom picked off one at a time.

 

[Silkie2]

I have a big dog usually outside, the one time we did come close the hawk flew away, I wonder if the hawk saw the goats and got scared and flew away.