Southern NY, Dutchess county and below

[stoopid]

I used to think that. The hawks made a nest and had babies one year. Cooler than crap, but don't eat my babies!

 

[lichick28]

I have not let my girls out to free range in a week. There is some type of hawk just sitting in the trees in our back yard waiting for lunch! Last year I thought I would stay out raking leaves with them & a hawk swooped right down 6 feet from me & grabbed one of my silkies. I ran after it waving the rake like a looney but it was too late

 

[ChickenAl]

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Hawks are opportunistic. They will wait if they think it is worth it. The hard part is shutting down the buffet after they've had a taste.

If I could keep a flock of crows around I would. They seem to be the most effective at getting them out of an area. They have to be totally fearless to attack hawks the way they do, or they must taste like crap to a hawk for all the times they get shooed away by them.

I never like crows becaus ether would swarm the bird feeder, but now that I have stopped feeding the wild birds I wish they would just hang around in the trees.

 

[stoopid]

And last night we trapped a raccoon. I am going to have to kill this one, just don't know what to do with the body yet.
Any ideas? Was going to throw over the fence into the woods, DH says it will start to stink. Maybe the hawk will eat it?

 

[lichick28]

Good thing I extended the run another 7 feet or I would feel bad having them locked up.

 

[mjuenem]

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In my area it would be gone in a day or two. Something comes around at night and cleans all that up. I would toss it in the woods, it's natures way and my guess is it will be long one before it has a chance of smelling. This change in the weather will preserve it till it's found.

 

[smkchick]

When we go out we check the skies. Death from above.

I've heard crows are the most effective hawk deterrents. I think I'm going to start restocking the bird feeders.

Do hawks hunt at a certain time of day? I let the girls out around 3:30 this afternoon - figured they could free range until nightfall. The seemed to stay close to the fenced perimeter of the yard.

Also, do they migrate or am I going to have them shopping in the frozen chicken section all winter?

I think I'm going to extend the covered run and limit the girls' free range time.

Nature is a b**ch.

 

[smkchick]

My backyard:

 

[stoopid]

I thought they migrated, but they seem to like the buffet so much lately, looks like they are staying.

 

[goldeneggtees]

That is one gorgeous picture!

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