Scariest moment yet..... hawks!

[SilkieBantams]

There can even be witnesses out there watching and may inform the authorities of your DH downing a hawk

 

[harveyhorses]

Keep you flock up for a couple of days, reinforce your top and let the hawks go on their way. Because it is not real subtle to annonce that on a public message board. You might as well take out an add in the Sunday paper.

 

[ChickiKat]

Quote:
Hey, DH and I were just musing, like a lot of what if's we discuss. I would never kill anything if I did not have to. Like a dog with a chicken in it's mouth. To tell the truth, I think I would be too scared if the hawks we saw the other night felt like having chicken tonite. We were sitting in the yard and in the field that is a bit aways from us we see two hawks on top of one of those round hay bales. When they took off, I kid you not they looked like they had at least 5 ft wingspans.... May have been large enough to pick up a child!!!!

 

[harveyhorses]

We have a pair that has been in our area for years, might not be the same pair as the one when I was 10 or so, but I am guessing the same family, and the grown ups are HUGE. I have 'bolt holes' for when the girls are free ranging, and a very secure top to their run, hardware cloth and tarps. Funny enough the residents (hawks) seldom bother checking us out, but the transients sure do. One was peeking in MY bedroom window the other day. I don't kill things lightly either. Esp. when they are protected. $$$ there is no smiley with a jail cell

 

[mamachicken888]

Ok! So, we got back from Wally World - LOADED FOR BEAR! - or hawk - whichever arrives first.

Seriously though, we would NEVER kill anything either.... especially not a hawk... but I bet you we can scare the pants off it.

 

[Stacykins]

I bet those 'hawks' were actually turkey vultures. And unless your chickens are zombies, they won't harm them.

 

[ChickiKat]

actually at this time of year in my area, I think the turkey vultures have already gone south....

 

[Stacykins]

Quote:
Not all are gone yet. Unless the turkey vultures up here in the UP of Michigan are extra stupid, because I saw several riding the thermals today.

 

[mamachicken888]

So, why would turkey vultures be circling over our very much alive chickens?

 

[Stacykins]

Quote:
I find if they are in an area there is likely some carrion around somewhere. Or they found a good thermal and was riding it up. Hang gliders are often joined by turkey vultures, or they look for where the vultures are.