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Ranchandle

In the Brooder
Jun 28, 2018
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Just retired, and moved to a 7 acre horse ranch. I don't have horses, but started with chickens instead. There's a lot to learn. My hens are almost 5 months old, and the biggest disappointment is that I can't let them free range, because there are so many hawks here. We see hawks every day - they are nesting on the property, and will sometimes perch by the coop and just stare at the chickens. I have Buff Orpington, Wyandotte, Amercauna and Barred Rock. So much fun watching the personalities develop, and those feathers are just beautiful! I can see why some people get into raising chickens for show.
 
I would suggest Emu, I think they are a bit more sociable but certainly not animals you can cuddle.

Even without the hawks, if you free range, you will find every predator in the area knows you have chickens. Everything loves to eat chickens. You can try using "bird scare tape," which produces holographic rainbows ,Walmart & probably garden centers sell it.

I think it sorta disorients hawks. A robin likes to use the top of my mailbox as his personal toilet. Every day he sits there and it is covered with poo. I got fed up cleaning up after him. So I wrapped a little of the tape around the mailbox loosely so it also flutters in the wind. Robin has not been back.
 
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farmer connie 787545454.jpg ​
 

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