Silkies and predators

[centrarchid]

The proper question is not "Will the birds of prey take the rooster?" but rather will the birds of prey KILL my rooster? The answer is YES and it matters little the size of the rooster in question.

Most hawk attacks are low level affairs that are only undertaken after the hawk has spent considerable time scoping out your flock from the safety of a tree limb or from the top of your coop. CDs, fishing line, or other visual deterrents are unlikely to make a hill-of-beans worth of difference in whether your chickens are safe or else become hawk scat.

Observe how useless red fishing line would be in stopping these hawk attacks, and watch how late the rooster shows up to defend his harem.

Come on @chickengeorgeto, take into consideration species of hawk. My roosters are also a lot faster and more capable than that fluffy butted ornamental. Chicken breed needs to be considered as well and do not omit the effective ones.

 

[snow5164]

The thing I don’t understand is if you insist on getting these micro mini birds why you can’t build a totally enclosed run? They don’t need much space , my 4 silkies are in a 8x8foot run .

Do it right or don’t waste your money ,

 

[Ozkan]

Thanks do you think tree will help.
As we have a lot of small bushy trees so not much landing space?

The proper question is not "Will the birds of prey take the rooster?" but rather will the birds of prey KILL my rooster? The answer is YES and it matters little the size of the rooster in question.

Most hawk attacks are low level affairs that are only undertaken after the hawk has spent considerable time scoping out your flock from the safety of a tree limb or from the top of your coop. CDs, fishing line, or other visual deterrents are unlikely to make a hill-of-beans worth of difference in whether your chickens are safe or else become hawk scat.

Observe how useless red fishing line would be in stopping these hawk attacks, and watch how late the rooster shows up to defend his harem.

Thanks

 

[Ozkan]

Do you think a large fowl silkie will be fine free range rather then micro miniature silkie?

Thanks

 

[Bryant Redhawk]

What I mean by ease of access is how easy the raptor can get at the birds. If you don't have something to stop an aerial attack, then a swoop and grab is going to happen sooner or later. I agree with centrarchid, the breed of bird both chicken and raptor has a lot to do with both being attacked and survival of the "victim". My Marans is a real fighter, with long straight spurs that do put the hurt on anything he attacks. He does not back down either.

 

[Ozkan]

Hi do you know if rats will kill the 6 inch chickens? And how to coop proof against them?

Thanks

 

[Bryant Redhawk]

Yes, rats can and will kill small chickens (they will chew on humans so chickens are also at risk). Rats can get through a 1/4" hole, the best thing to do is use steel wool to plug up any places they might get through, The steel wool deters them because when they try to chew through it the tiny shards of metal puncture their skin causing great discomfort and if one of those little strands get into their blood vessels it's game over for that rat.

 

[Ozkan]

Thanks can rats get through small metal mesh?

Yes, rats can and will kill small chickens (they will chew on humans so chickens are also at risk). Rats can get through a 1/4" hole, the best thing to do is use steel wool to plug up any places they might get through, The steel wool deters them because when they try to chew through it the tiny shards of metal puncture their skin causing great discomfort and if one of those little strands get into their blood vessels it's game over for that rat.

 

[Bryant Redhawk]

Rats can chew through just about anything, light gauge wire is no problem for their teeth so you need something at least 19 gauge (this is the most common gauge wire used in 1/4" hardware cloth (called mesh everywhere except the USA). By experiment I found the steel wool trick works (read about it in This old House magazine and gave it a trial). Any poison that would work would also work on chickens, dogs, humans, etc. so those are out of contention except where nothing else would be able to get to it.

 

[Ozkan]

Thanks
Can rats climb 5 foot 9 tall metal dog run?
And Do they attack during the day?

Thanks