Red-Tailed Hawk took one of my girls

[paganfish]

Quote:
Well, darn! I am sorry for you and yes it does sound like a sad situation. Been banging my head trying to think of what else can be done.

My thoughts are with you as I know how awesome chickens are...besides, the food the provide.

Pedro

 

[SpottedCrow]

I'm so sorry for your loss...

I think alot of it is we're blasting the rocky cliffs where they live and it's easy to pick off small squirrels and rabbits and racing pigeons. So they come into our yards because their normal food source is now gone.

 

[suburbanhomesteader]

I agree, habitat destruction and urban encroachment is making it difficult for all wild things.

Ironically enough, I have taught Backyard Habitat Construction and Maintenance for Texas Parks and Wildlife. I hold no malice for the hawk; in fact, if there is such a thing, I believe the hawk is probably my totem animal.

I do wish he could have gotten a meal out of her death, but as someone else said, perhaps that would have encouraged him to come back for more.

All of that said, I would just as soon not lose any more of my (ahem....non-laying) hens to predation. Perhaps I'll need to get some Freedom Rangers to mix into the flock; they could be a little smaller, and would make (perhaps?) a more appetizing target.

I do know if it had been Bo who was killed I would be completely inconsolate right now.

 

[joanm]

Aw, that stinks! I'm so sorry!

 

[domromer]

I'm very sorry for your loss. I'd be very sad. My girls are loved pets.

Has anyone made anything like a scarecrow? Does it keep hawks away?

I've heard that goats are good at keeping hawks away. Maybe it's just the site of something big walking around.

 

[snugglepup]

well i can tell you, my horses don't do anything for keeping hawks away. the hawks could care less...

 

[Windy Ridge]

I'm very sorry. It's so sad to have one die in your arms, but she was doubtless comforted by your presence.

 

[skatcatla]

I'm VERY sorry for your loss. :-(

I am in a similar situation..I'd like to be able to let my four hens wander around my small suburban lawn unattended, but even with me right there, I witnessed a near-miss from a young Cooper's Hawk, who swooped down on my girls while I was just 10 feet away.

I now let my dog be in the yard with us, and I think that's helped as the hawk has not swooped down on them again, although he/she will definitely sit in the trees and watch them. I haven't seen it recently though.

I've also heard that people have success with guinea fowl as watchers? Maybe that's an option for you?

 

[suburbanhomesteader]

Wow! I didn't think a Cooper's hawk would go for a mature hen! They've hit the doves at the feeder several times. Funny how when that happened, to me it was just "nature's way". There was nothing that felt like "nature's way" about this death!

I think they're getting hungrier?

 

[skatcatla]

Well actually, the nickname for a Cooper's Hawk is...you guessed it, "chicken hawk!"

I think the one that swooped was actually a juvenile and probably not terribly experienced. I was surprised too, because even back then at about 9 or 10 weeks, they were much bigger than the hawk. But I read that hawks can be freakishly strong so I still worry. To my knowledge, the hawk hasn't tried to attack them again, although he/she will definitely watch and has done a couple of fly overs. I think my girls also learned a lesson, as every time one of the crows flap past, they all freeze like little statues.