Osprey attack

[topochico225]

Hey y’all,

I just got a call from my brother who’s tstaying with me right now that an osprey attacked my 2 free ranging gals. Said it didn’t look like he got anyone, but he put one in the run and the other is hiding behind the shed. I’m on my way home now to assess. I hate those damn raptors.

 

[topochico225]

Not an osprey, but likely a big red tailed hawk. Both birds are ok. Picked one up to check on her and she got so scared she pooped on me. Poor girls.

 

[cmom]

I would suspect a hawk because Osprey are fish eaters. It will be back lurking for another opportunity. Once they have discovered the birds they usually hang around. Good luck...

 

[topochico225]

I would suspect a hawk because Osprey are fish eaters. It will be back lurking for another opportunity. Once they have discovered the birds they usually hang around. Good luck...

x2 on the hawk.

I had two juvenile Cooper’s Hawks sitting very peacefully on top of my bantams’ run a few months ago. You can still see the talon marks in the wood. They paid no mind to my big girls who were free ranging at the time.

I guess no more free ranging for my gals.

 

[Krugerrand]

By the subject line, this came to mind...

I'm thinking, that better be one strong coop.

 

[McChooky]

Chickens are happier and safer in bigger groups .Maybe add a couple more hens and a rooster ? Its not a good idea to turn out hens without using netting around Hawks.

 

[topochico225]

Chickens are happier and safer in bigger groups .Maybe add a couple more hens and a rooster ? Its not a good idea to turn out hens without using netting around Hawks.

Can’t, I’m in the city and I’m already 4 birds over the legal limit. I’ve got a very large yard for the burbs, so I’m not worried about them jammed into a small space.

 

[McChooky]

Can’t, I’m in the city and I’m already 4 birds over the legal limit. I’ve got a very large yard for the burbs, so I’m not worried about them jammed into a small space.

To my knowledge there are no cities that allow free ranging chickens or erecting nets to protect them sorry.

 

[McChooky]

x2 on the hawk.

I had two juvenile Cooper’s Hawks sitting very peacefully on top of my bantams’ run a few months ago. You can still see the talon marks in the wood. They paid no mind to my big girls who were free ranging at the time.

I guess no more free ranging for my gals.

Hawks prefer small birds because they can swoop down and carry the whole bird off. Standards they have to kill and carry pieces of the torn carcasses off a little at a time.

 

[cmom]

Free ranging is a risk. Lessons learned the hard way...