Stupid Hawk! (vent)

[4F FARM]

As usual my big girls were free ranging in the only place without snow. Right outside my patio window. It was a pretty nice day so I thought I will put the 5 week olds out in the sun shine. I set up a play pen area right against the house. Mind you not 3 feet from the slider I am sewing at. The chicks were having a blast for about an hour. Then I hear them making a thunder of racket. I jumped up and put on my shoes assuming it was the big girls picking on them through the fence. But NO. A hawk had grabbed one of the little ones. I hollered and it dropped it, but it was already dead. Needless to say, I scooped the other ones up and put them back in the brooder.

I can't blame anyone but myself for not covering the playpen, but I assumed they were safe right near the door. I know food is scarace with 2 1/2 feet of snow still on the ground so I can't blame the hawk. I'm just sad I lost a little one, but I love the hawks so I'm torn knowing it had a decent meal.

Thanks. I needed to vent that out of my system.

Faye

 

[ebaribault]

Sorry for your loss.
I was thinking of putting my 5 week olds outside tomorrow , now I will reconsider

Best wishes,
Ed

 

[ZykloniaDark-GothikRanchr]

I put my babies out for sun in an old playpen turned upside down, OR I also use my old bunny cage, no hawks can infiltrate it!!! if you do put them in anything just put something over the top, even if it is just a blanket!!! I love hawks too, but not when they are making meals of my little chickies!!

 

[countryboy]

I'm sorry you lost that chick to the hawk. it gets perturbing sometimes, with all the other things the hawks could eat and they go after your babies.

 

[Frosty]

I am so sorry about your chick!

I guess I am REALLY lucky. The red tails nest about 1/4 mile away from the house (I can see the nests up in the trees) and fly over my yard all the time. But I have NEVER lost a chick or a kitten to the hawks! (Great Horned owls and racoons are another story...) Maybe we have enough bunnies and prarie dogs to keep them happy?