Reminded why I can't let them free range. 1 hen gone.

[MichiganWoods]

I already walked all over the yard and couldn't find any trace of her.

The reason I doubt the dog is that the owners of said dog also have chickens, and it leaves those chickens alone. They also free range. Their property, however, is cleared of trees. They are kitty corner from our backyard.

 

[Guitartists]

Not to say that it wasn't a hawk..... but just because HIS chickens are off limits does not mean that YOURS are..... my dog will leave my birds alone... but would most likely chase someone elses. And the time that a neighbors dog came down and attacked my birds... he pulled a bunch of feathers from the tail of one bird...... my birds scattered and it took me HOURS to find them all as they hid and refused to move fearing that it was not safe.... if it WAS the dog... it might explain why she is still missing. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you that this is what happened and that she is just hunkered down in the grass somewhere and that you find her alive and well..... if a bit shaken.

 

[MichiganWoods]

I'm keeping my eyes open, but I'm not holding out a lot of hope. Hawks aren't the only creatures we have around here. There's the neighbors dogs, of course. Tons of stray cats, foxes, coyotes, raccoons, skunks, opossums, owls... and those are the ones I know about. Now that I think about it... why did I ever think it was safe??

 

[lovemychix]

Good luck. I'm the same way. I have so many stray dogs around that I only let them out with supervision. I am expanding my run this spring. I already got the materials just waiting for the thaw so we can dig into the ground to set the 4x4's. Lumber is cheap right now too.

 

[deerman]

Sound like a fox, they will carry them off.Yes even during the day. Large hawk like redtail could carry off a small chicken. Dogs would kill more than just one, they kill for fun. Unless you stop the dog when you can out.Coyotes will also crab and run off with their prey.

 

[BeccaOH]

I do wish you'd find your girl.

My neighbor asked me Tuesday if I'd seen the beautiful big "chicken hawk" swooping down the valley. I'm not sure what exact hawk breed it is. Maybe red tail. But there must be a reason the old-timers refer to them as "chicken hawks."

Now I'm trying to think of a way to incorporate an area with two large rose of sharon bushes into my expanded run and still cover the area with netting.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I know it is not 100% effective, but I saw a post on here where someone put a satellite dish face down suspended above the ground to give the chickens a place to hide under when they see a hawk. A piece of plywood, some metal, bushes, anywhere they can hide will probably help, but nothing can stop a hawk if you free-range. It might just improve the odds a little. Make sure the wind cannot blow it away.

 

[DiVon80]

hay! I believe its a prey bird... Why! Dog would of caused all kinds of noise from the chickens, the chickens would of been running and cackling the rooster would of been acting up too. Now, a prey bird the chickens know to take cover under something,sound there alarm. That would not of helpled with a dog. We had a small area about 30'by100' lots of trees(live oak) for cover. A normal 4 foot chain link fence and I added an extra 2 feet with welded wire not real noticible. A hawk(Lg.red tail) swooped through the yard got a white silikie did not plan for the extra 2' of welded wire slammed my poor chicken in to the top of the fence dropped her and did a flip over the fence and landed at my husbands feet on the other side. The chicken was fine a little shook up the hawk gather him self and flew off. My husband couldn't believe what he was seeing. You have to keep in mind the flying abilities and eye sight these birds have. Our stealth fighters are designed after some of these prey birds. A fox,coyote,dog you would of had a chase.I just lost some of mine to owls. Since Katrina we lost all our buildings. This was the year for us to get the coop back and some fresh new birds. I lost my 11 year old bantam rooster "Strut" to an owl.

 

[lleighmay]

Siberian Huskies have enormously high prey drives... believe me I know- I've got one whose mission in life is to kill my goat if she ever gets the chance. She doesn't know the chickens exist but if she did they would be toast. I never allow her to be loose because I'm certain she'd also go across the road after my neighbor's calves. They're also not particularly protective about anything (including their owner or owner's property). My bet is on the dog; please don't trust what you think are her protective instincts.

 

[deerman]

Quote:
Yes agree they will kill predators, but more as prey rather than protecting. Soon kill the chickens as the coons.
I raised huskies for a few years Not much good as protecters.

Still unless you stop the dog when you came out, they will kill more than one at a time.