Our Mixed Flock Journey!

[LaFemmeKatia]

My husband almost made my heart drop into my stomach this afternoon! He'd just gotten home from golf and I told him thank you for having my tea cup ready. Then he told me he was sorry, but he had some sad news for me...he says "a hawk got one of your Buff Orpington hens"! I was very confused because I had just been out to the pen and I was sure that I had seen all 3 of them...I asked him where, he said it was on the edge of the lawn by the driveway, when he left for golf this morning. We immediately went to the pen so I could do a head count...thankfully all of mine were there. The one he found must have belonged to a neighbor as it wasn't one of mine! I'm sad for the hen, but so relieved that it wasn't one of my girls! That also would have been a long way for a hawk to carry one of my plump ladies!

I would have had an anxiety attack on the spot. Thank Heaven it wasn’t your girl.

 

[drstratton]

That is sad.. but so glad it wasn’t one of yours!!!!

Thank you...me too!

 

[drstratton]

I would have had an anxiety attack on the spot. Thank Heaven it wasn’t your girl.

I think he was a bit anxious...he didn't want to tell me, as he knew how sad I would be!

 

[BY Bob]

My husband almost made my heart drop into my stomach this afternoon! He'd just gotten home from golf and I told him thank you for having my tea cup ready. Then he told me he was sorry, but he had some sad news for me...he says "a hawk got one of your Buff Orpington hens"! I was very confused because I had just been out to the pen and I was sure that I had seen all 3 of them...I asked him where, he said it was on the edge of the lawn by the driveway, when he left for golf this morning. We immediately went to the pen so I could do a head count...thankfully all of mine were there. The one he found must have belonged to a neighbor as it wasn't one of mine! I'm sad for the hen, but so relieved that it wasn't one of my girls! That also would have been a long way for a hawk to carry one of my plump ladies!

That's crazy. Hawks. I do not like hawks. There is plenty of vermin to eat. Leave my chickens alone.

 

[drstratton]

That's crazy. Hawks. I do not like hawks. There is plenty of vermin to eat. Leave my chickens alone.

I totally agree with that! Since I lost Madeleine I think my boys have done a good job of keeping the flock safe!

 

[cavemanrich]

That's crazy. Hawks. I do not like hawks. There is plenty of vermin to eat. Leave my chickens alone.

I totally agree with you. Hawks will choose the easiest meal available. Same with other predators. That is reason to predator proof the chicken housing, and run best we can.
When I raised pigeons, I had to keep an eye on them (hawks) all the time. Am sure it was the same ones that made the same journey daily. I watched which direction they came from,,,, stopped,,, and then proceeded on, in always the same direction. Their timing was also close each day.

 

[drstratton]

I totally agree with you. Hawks will choose the easiest meal available. Same with other predators. That is reason to predator proof the chicken housing, and run best we can.
When I raised pigeons, I had to keep an eye on them (hawks) all the time. Am sure it was the same ones that made the same journey daily. I watched which direction they came from,,,, stopped,,, and then proceeded on, in always the same direction. Their timing was also close each day.

Thank you for more great information Cavey! That's interesting! I will have to try and keep track of which direction & what time of day it is when I see it! I saw it the other day in the afternoon. Thankfully he flew on by. Probably because I was outside!

 

[cavemanrich]

It is what I observed. The pair of hawks,,(Red Tail) seemed to have a course they followed daily. They would park in the tall trees within my sight, and after a short period, would move on.
I outsmarted them, such that I let my pets free-range during periods ether before, or after they left. Once they left, they did not return until next day.
Last autumn, I encountered a Cooper Hawk once. They are very fast/swift, and I think their arrival would be more unpredictable. That occurred only once. Maybe it was a migratory one at that time.

 

[drstratton]

It is what I observed. The pair of hawks,,(Red Tail) seemed to have a course they followed daily. They would park in the tall trees within my sight, and after a short period, would move on.
I outsmarted them, such that I let my pets free-range during periods ether before, or after they left. Once they left, they did not return until next day.
Last autumn, I encountered a Cooper Hawk once. They are very fast/swift, and I think their arrival would be more unpredictable. That occurred only once. Maybe it was a migratory one at that time.

I'm glad the Cooper Hawk didn't come back. You had enough to worry about with the other two! I'm glad that you were able to work out their pattern & save your pets!

 

[N F C]

Thank you for more great information Cavey! That's interesting! I will have to try and keep track of which direction & what time of day it is when I see it! I saw it the other day in the afternoon. Thankfully he flew on by. Probably because I was outside!

I used to see a lot of hawks when I lived in FL. Just me being outside with the flock did not deter them one bit.

One afternoon I was sitting outside with a RSL girl on my lap. She started squirming around and when I turned my head, there was a hawk about 5' away from us on a fence post eyeballing her. He just sat there and watched while I carried my bird into the coop. Even me standing up did not make him leave.