Swedish Flower Hen Thread

[KYTinpusher]

Well, the culprit has been positively identified. It was stalking the coop when DD and I went out to check the coop this morning. It is a juvenile Red Tail. One of our neighbors is a DFW warden, so we will be talking to him to see if there is anything we can do now that it has a taste for chicken.

 

[minihorse927]

Well, the culprit has been positively identified. It was stalking the coop when DD and I went out to check the coop this morning. It is a juvenile Red Tail. One of our neighbors is a DFW warden, so we will be talking to him to see if there is anything we can do now that it has a taste for chicken.

If I can find the information again. You have to show that you've tried to deter him in every way possible and you're allowed to harass him just not kill him. If he continues to be a problem and you have tried to deter him multiple times, they can issue a permit for it to be killed/trapped.

 

[Bukrub66]

I'm sure there is a falconer in your area. A craigslist ad may help. They are easily trapped and relocated. But will need a Master Falconner to do it. No one will issue a permit to trap or kill a bird of prey.

 

[minihorse927]

I'm sure there is a falconer in your area. A craigslist ad may help. They are easily trapped and relocated. But will need a Master Falconner to do it. No one will issue a permit to trap or kill a bird of prey.

actually the federal wildlife will. I've had a permit for a owl which is protected under the same act as the hawks.

ETA: Sorry, not federal wildlife, US fish & wildlife service.

 

[THeelChickinKY]

@KYTinpusher
Just saw the post about Diamant. I am so sorry. December was such a bad month for us with losses to both hawks and dogs that we have had to confine ours to the run until we know we're not just sending them out to the slaughter! So, I really do feel for you. She was beautiful!

 

[gimmie birdies]

this pic is a couple months old, but my Swedish flower hen roo wasn't blessed with many flowers. and now that he has big boy feathers I don't see any flowers.
below are his family.I got him as an egg from their owner. she keeps SFH separate.

 

[KYTinpusher]

I reset the fence yesterday. The area is smaller and has less area not covered by trees, shrubs or the coop. We had three hawks checking it out shortly after we did it and let the chickens out. I guess they didn't like the new odds. They disappeared rather quickly and I didn't see them at all today.

I still plan to put some netting or flash tape over the open area in front of the coop, but I feel my SFH are relatively safe for now.

 

[vpatt]

Are hawks generally worse in the winter?

 

[esme13]

Hi everybody, can someone tell me how large the swedish flower hen is full grown and how they are with other birds in the flock? also is it difficult to tell the crested from the non-crested when hatched day old chicks?

 

[THeelChickinKY]

@vpatt
Well, a few things happen in winter that amplify the hawk problem for chickens. First, with the leaves gone, the hawks gain vantage points to scout easily from trees and the chickens lose many bushes and other plants that would normally provide cover. Also, I feel like the hawks get bolder and go after bigger chickens than other times of the year because smaller wild prey isn't as abundant.