Red tailed hawk killed my chicken

[ChickTracy]

I've got my answer. Colt defender pellet gun. If I see a hawk messing with my birds.

Sweet!

 

[Nambroth]

They are the black vultures. I know that they all have their place in the ecosystem, and I respect that. It is hard, though, to watch your or your family's animals die at the hands of a predator. I knew the risk of free ranging when I got the chickens, but it becomes more real when it happens! But hey...nature happens!

Sorry to hear that. I've never heard of turkey vultures doing this, but black vultures are more opportunistic. They even have trouble with them pulling parts off of cars in some areas. I wish I could offer some thoughts for a deterrent when the cows are birthing, but I am not educated enough about the process to offer sound advice.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

.... I don't want to kill a hawk because its nature and that's what they do....

In the same vein, keeping domesticated animals is natural for us humans, that's what we do.

 

[MoonShadows]

After reading this entire thread, I'm wondering weather I should call my coop the hen house or the "fort". I have a bunch of hawks now, and I haven't even received my chicks from the hatchery yet. In fact, I won't even let my 13 pound dog out on the property unless I am with her. I've seen hawks kill fairly large critters. I have also seen two crows kill a hawk in flight. It came tumbling through the trees and landed a few feet from me. Those crows don't mess around.

 

[Kevomxracer]

Another hawk killed my baby rooster. A few hours ago. I went out there shootin and got it a few times but it kind of flew away. Now I'm building a huge coop. So there is no free ranging for a long time I guess

 

[MoonShadows]

So sorry to hear this. And, it was a baby too. It has me re-thinking free range. Perhaps I'll build a much lrger enclosed run and only free range when I am with them.

 

[Nambroth]

So sorry to hear this. And, it was a baby too. It has me re-thinking free range. Perhaps I'll build a much lrger enclosed run and only free range when I am with them.

This is what I have done. I really wish I could let them all range all the time but I am too attached to lose them. I have a large covered run, and then whenever the weather isn't miserable I go outside and am nearby while they forage for a few hours each day. I carry a long walking stick with a heavy knot in one end that I could use to fend off ground predators if they dared approach (mostly worried about dogs). It's still not 100% safe but it's the best I can do for a compromise.

 

[ChickTracy]

Another hawk killed my baby rooster. A few hours ago.

I went out there shootin and got it a few times but it kind of flew away. Now I'm building a huge coop. So there is no free ranging for a long time I guess

Oh NO! I am so sorry! I hate to hear that. I think that we're going to go with a large fenced in area for the chickens also. They have been out free ranging more since the last attack (when the weather has been good) but that's usually the time the hawk comes back. I love for them to free range, but when that happens, then you second guess yourself. They can always free range if you're outside...with your gun! I do hope that you got the hawk. Maybe it just flew enough to get away and died. I just hate to think of it coming back for more after killing a poor baby rooster.

 

[roostersandhens]

i hate hawks when they injure my little chickies

 

[ChickTracy]

After reading this entire thread, I'm wondering weather I should call my coop the hen house or the "fort". I have a bunch of hawks now, and I haven't even received my chicks from the hatchery yet. In fact, I won't even let my 13 pound dog out on the property unless I am with her. I've seen hawks kill fairly large critters. I have also seen two crows kill a hawk in flight. It came tumbling through the trees and landed a few feet from me. Those crows don't mess around.

I think I'm getting ready to build a "fort!" If you're already seeing that many hawks around, then I'd watch after putting the chickens out. I'm sure they'll be thrilled with the new smorgasbord! I like hawks & I think they're beautiful birds...until they kill my chickens!!! They will carry off the small dogs too, so I don't blame you for watching your dog. I've heard that the crows will supposedly keep the hawks away (I can see why after reading your story) but I'm not sure if they do or not. At least the crows don't eat chickens! Good luck & let us know how it goes!