MYTH BUSTER! Tiny hawk kills full grown chicken inside the coop in middle of the day!!

Not really a myth busted; it depends on where you are located. You just have to know what sorts of predators are in your area and how they tend to do their deeds. Bottom line is that if something is hungry enough and chicken is on the menu, it WILL try any way it can to get at it at any time of the day. If it's successful, it'll be back.

Sorry you lost your hen and are dealing with this. Unfortunately, it happens. If you have your hens/coop in a run, some netting over the top will keep the raptors out. It's a fairly cheap/easy solution. However, it won't keep fox, racoons, possum, coyotes or any of that out (all of which can/will climb fences and all of which can/will come in broad daylight if they're hungry enough and know they can get to food).

Check with local law enforcement as well as animal control regarding livestock predators. See what action you can legally take. Some predators are protected (e.g. hawks) and you'll just have to do what you can to keep them out, but in many instances you're permitted to kill animals going after your chickens. Just be sure you know the regs before doing any trapping/shooting/etc.

 

I totally don't believe a lot of stuff I read here its the internet. People make comments that they have no clue about the situation there even commenting about. Mainly just comment on something they have read about guess we all do it here & there. I personally like to comment on stuff that I have experienced. You will learn who you can trust & who you can't.
BYC has a lot of knowledgeable folks that will give you sound advice. Its hard for me to tell someone that lives in a cold climate how to raise there birds but I can sure help people deal with heat I'm know pro but I do deal with the heat & have quite a few birds.
I've had hawks try & attack my flock I wouldn't trust one no matter how big he is. They are hungry & don't read books are have the internet.
Best advice is listen for hawks & keep your eye to the sky. I use to free range from 9 am till dark I have since changed my tatatics & let them out when I can be there with them but there is always a chance that a predator could sneak in need be from the sky are the ground & snatch one. You never know especially if you live in the country like I do. I've had bobcats walk right up to my barn in broad day light trying to get my birds. I carry a gun 24/7.

 

I have what I think is a immature red tail hawk small guy till he spreads his wings stalking my girls and he is brazen. my coop is totally enclosed and the have a back and front run but I wanted them to be able to range a bit. Here is what I have done so far.


That is what I first did. trout line strung all over from the barn to the right to the coop



The sheet is for shade

Now its almost complete but I dont have pics, I ordered deer fencing and covered the whole area where they run. 100by80ft all covered. we still have more to cover.

in that picture we have started running the deer fencing across.

 

Hawks are migrating right now, and you will have many fly over in the next few weeks. This time of year (and in the spring) I keep my birds in their net-covered run at all times.

Raptors are protected federally, and it is illegal to kill them -- as well as unwise, as they are great predators of the varmints that cause great financial loss to people, including mice, rats, voles, and other rodents. Finding a way to protect your chickens while the hungry travelers are passing through is the best way to prevent loss.

 

Get one adult game rooster to make so flock is not hen only. When Coopers hawk returns, rooster will in all likelihood put it to hawk. Such hawks seem not so good against prey that fights back especially before first contact made. Hen only flock in free-range setting is open buffet for the little Coopers hawk.