Red Tailed hawks, Osprey, Falcons, Eagles, and chickens flying problem

[Sebrite_97]

I needs some advice.

I want to let my chickens out but the mane concerns are these...

1. There are many osprey, hawks, ext. where i liv.

2. my sebrites love to fly so im nervouse that they will fly off and follow the rooster.

3. ( goes with 2 ) im nervouse my birds will bunk in a tree instead of there coop at nite and be a coon, owl free 4 all!

If i cood gt any advice i wood lov it. thnx.
ps. I liv on the st. johns river in coon central.

 

[Redwood Forest Bantams]

Hi Sebrite,

My advice is dont! the ospreys arent going to be a problem (fish eaters), but Sebrights are too small to be considered safe free range. Even a small Female Sharpy or Male Coopers is capable of taking a Sebright Hen.

Sebrights are very flighty like you have said, and they are very likely going to want to roost in trees at dusk. I have so much invested in my show birds (Sebrights) that I can imagine allowing them to be out.

They are such lovely birds and are beautiful running around the yard, that I ended up getting some Hatchery Grade Sebrights (twice the size of show birds) to be "lawn ornaments" lol