Seasonal predation

[jolly wattles]

Just curious as to which seasons most see increased action? Obviously location matters.

 

[Molpet]

when the ground is covered in snow is the only time I had a hawk attack.. at night they are locked up in predator proof (so far anyway) hoop coops

 

[Sara Ranch]

I dunno.

As the fog has stayed thick around here today, I do wonder if more ground predators will be bolder and try to visit. The friendly rabbits have stayed hidden today.

The overhead visitors didn't seem to do their multiple fly-bys. Least not that I could see.

The previous owners had major predator problems in the winter/spring from "unknowns." They also handled their animals differently than I do.

 

[jolly wattles]

when the ground is covered in snow is the only time I had a hawk attack.. at night they are locked up in predator proof (so far anyway) hoop coops

Here in the south (tn) the winters don't get too bad. I notice more activity in the spring (when they are rearing young). And mid summer when it's too hot to hunt wild prey.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Less in winter here. Otherwise it's spring to fall, just last week I was late locking up the coop by half an hour and lost a cockerel to a racoon. Ya know, it's just one of those things when you live in the great outdoors- a lot of predators like to live here too.

 

[Chickassan]

Definitely spring when everything has weans.I see a few attempts during late summer out of the young hawks, mostly just licking the windows. Winter is pretty nice guess there is too much visibility for a successful hunt.

 

[jolly wattles]

Definitely spring when everything has weans.I see a few attempts during late summer out of the young hawks, mostly just licking the windows. Winter is pretty nice guess there is too much visibility for a successful hunt.

Licking the windows? Lol

 

[centrarchid]

The strongest seasonal signal I see is with Coopers Hawk where migrants, first year birds, increase greatly in local abundance. Songbird density is high and my barn is relatively open making hunting good for the hawks. Chickens not preferred targets but hawks will go after immature chickens not protected by adults. In my setup most chicks are in company of protective adults through 5 weeks post-hatch. Juveniles between 5 and 10 weeks very much targeted with smaller juveniles most likely. Older than 10 weeks are a tough kill. I sometimes keep a mature cock in with juveniles to suppress fighting and same cock has little trouble repelling even female Coopers Hawks.

 

[Trish1974]

Furry, four-legged predators are worse here in the spring and summer, large hawks and eagles are worse in the fall and winter.

 

[GC-Raptor]

Autumn, around here. The only attack I've experienced was last November, from a Coopers Hawk, on my then 7 month old pullets. Fortunately Raggedy Ann survived. Yes I renamed her.
The hawks are around all year, but my girls have a large tree in the center of their pen. By November the leaves dropped off and they were now a target. Fortunately my pullets were twice the weight of a Coopers Hawk and she survived. I was in the bathroom when I heard the commotion and I quickly ran outside, to see the Hawk in a distant tree. My coop and run are about 25' from my house, and are lit up with 2 motion security lights to help deter nighttime predators.
I built my raised coop and it's secure when locked up to most predators, around here except, Black Bear, which could rip it apart. .GC