question about free ranging

[dandydoodle]

I haven't seen any screaming hawks around here. The ones around here are very quiet. We aren't in the extreme country but, I guess you would consider this pretty rural. Maybe I have only seen one over the past year because, they already have hunting grounds here too. I am sure there is plenty to eat around here with all the rats and mice in the woods next to the lake. Well going to check on my first free ranging group and hopefully everyone is accounted for.

 

[Ole rooster]

Same here as Bobbi J. When I let them out in the morning they go into the run and on out at their leisure. They come in when they're ready and I shut them in the coop. I have hawks also but no problems so far. They do have many places to hide.

 

[7L Farm]

I think hawks don't wear a watch. It's always a gamble. They are thick here this year. I wish they would give us some lead way on protecting our livestock. These birds will hammer your birds.

 

[centrarchid]

I loose a small number of birds annually to hawks. Several hawk species are present (Red-tailed, Coopers, Red-shouldered, Broadwinged, Sharp-shinned, and if want to call them hawks-the American kestrel). I can see them at any hour during day. Only the first two species have taken any of my birds and their take is influenced by many things. Coopers take almost exclusively juveniles and chicks, and almost without exception those losses involve individuals that are not under protection of harem (hen(s) and rooster). Adults of the harems are very effective at repelling even adult female Coopers hawks. Red-tails are a different matter and will take adult chickens, even the toughest gamecock, if the chicken cannot get to cover that denies hawk advantage of flight. Within cover, even then hungriest red-tail is taking a risk from attack by rooster unless latter is in green feathers or not part of a breeding group. For some reason a harem leader will attack while the same bird if not a harem leader will not take on a hawk. Hormones involved I think. Most of time hawk either misses or is repelled but sometimes he does get his dinner. The only time hawks do not seem to be hunting yet flying about is at twilight. Owls (great-horned) are my concern at twilight. My birds are strong fliers so are at greatest risks from foxes and coyotes which can get much closer when chickens can not see as well at dawn. Having my birds come off roost too early wrenches my gut owing to such varmints that otherwise have a hard time catching anything other than juveniles. Racoons and opposoms are not a threat to mobile chickens during daylight. I have had both as pets and neither has the run down skills needed to catch an adult chicken that has option to run/fly away.

Dog greatly reduces even attempts by the chicken eaters. Only persistant predator with dog has been red fox and it has come very close to getting mauled by my small but very fast bird dog. The same fox could make kills regularly if a larger amd slower typical livestock guarding dog was tasked with same.

 

[bobbi-j]

Quote:
By "without a cover" do you mean not in a covered run, or no cover for them (like bushes) to hide under? I re-read my post and I may not have been very clear. I leave the pop door open from the run to the coop, and just shut the gate to the run. So when they're ready to go outside, they go from the coop to the run when they want. They are let out of the run anytime from 7am to late afternoon. Depends on when I get there. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[LiLRedCV]

Great theory, but not sure it really holds much water. We see hawks and eagles off and on all day around our rural neck of the woods.

We don't have any set time we let our flock out to free-range. Most mornings they are let out as soon as our little man gets on the bus for school just 'cuz that's when I'm already outside anyway and doing some chores. On weekends they may not make it out the door before noon 'cuz we aren't always motivated to crawl out of bed that early.

We've had one hawk attack in the last 2yrs we've had chickens, had one injured and one dead from it. It happened in mid-afternoon. Kept the flock in the coop and covered run for a week after. Haven't had another problem since, but we know it's only a matter of time.

However, my girls tend to lay better when they're happy and they're happiest when they're free-ranging.

 

[Mattemma]

I let mine out from 9am-11am. Regardless of the time the resident hawk will come out of the shadows,and perch in the tree above them.Watching and waiting,lol. I hate that beautiful big raptor!

 

[TDM]

Quote:
Same experience here. A fox could steal a bird out from under my Great Pyrenees LGD, especially under the cover of thick brush. The fox could probably stop for lunch before my lumbering giant was able to catch up.

Eventually, a perimeter fence with the LGD inside stopped the attacks.

 

[Asrai]

I don't have any chickens yet, but I do know a little bit about hawks. I've heard that they are more likely to hunt in the early morning and mid afternoon since this is when game is the most active. Of coarse that doesn't mean that's the only time they will hunt, they will continue to hunt all day until they are full. You rarely see them at twilight (although you can of coarse) because they are natural enemies with owls and don't like competing for food.

 

[centrarchid]

Quote:
I deal with hawks fairly regularly. Hunting has more to do with weather than time of day. Also local availability of prey and the hawks experience are very important.