Newbie:questions...what daytime predators do I need to worry about?

[arch_cpj]

Depending where your at and if its legal I have had luck chasing off hawks with larger bottle rockets I leave a pipe in the side of the woods and if Mr Hawk pokes around a few pyrotechnics and he is off we see a few here and there but not like it use to be...

 

[horsejody]

A.T. Hagan :

Dogs, hawks, eagles, dogs, foxes, coyotes, dogs, weasels, minks, dogs, bobcats, some feral domestic cats, and dogs.

......Alan.

And don't forget, dogs!​

 

[TheReidHomestead]

I was going to mention coyotes, bobcats and stress the neighborhood/stray/loose dog. We've also had weasels around here but so far they must be happy with the current mice/moles/rats because they have left the chickens alone.

 

[herefordlovinglady]

A.T. Hagan :

Dogs, hawks, eagles, dogs, foxes, coyotes, dogs, weasels, minks, dogs, bobcats, some feral domestic cats, and dogs.

......Alan.

So Alan, you think dogs could be a problem?​

 

[Britney]

Dogs, hawks, eagles, dogs, foxes, coyotes, dogs, weasels, minks, dogs, bobcats, some feral domestic cats, and dogs.

......Alan.

I do believe that Alan is trying to tell you something here. Let's have a contest....What is he trying to tell you to look out for...HMMMMM...I win! I win!! DOGS, Dogs, and DOGS! LOL. I hear so much about the neighbors dogs killing chickens more than any predator​

 

[maralynn28]

Yes, I'm aware of the dog problem...I have my own rat terrier, she's a sweetie but don't know how she'll take to ducks yet. She does behave well enough that I KNOW she won't bother them with me around however. (I've actually dropped a steak on the floor in front of her, and while she started towards it she stopped as soon as I made a noise...good dog). There's only one neighbor dog I'm concerned about but that should be pretty easy fix too.

I guess I'm more concerned about "airborne" attacks as the ducks will be under supervision, but I can't fly! I've heard hawks can be a problem...but until what age? All the time or just while they are young. And then that brings me to the eagles...I wonder if they will always be an issue or just until the ducks are grown.

I was really hoping to let the duckies roam aroud, but definitely don't want to lose one.

 

[crittersitter]

Yup! It's the neighborhood dog! Lost my first one yesterday!

 

[JayDe]

I lost my roo to a fox today at 11:30am. We're in Florida, though.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

Unfortunately, your chickens will never outgrow the danger of hawk attacks. Hawks attack adult large breed chickens. Small or young chickens they can carry off. Large chickens they can just eat on the ground. It's a natural feeding behavior.

 

[maralynn28]

Thanks all, that's what I was worried about.

Guess I gotta make sure the run is airborne attack proof.