The Hawk Struck Again ...

[keesmom]

I didn't expect hawk attacks to grown hens... Especially with tons of smaller prey available such as squirrels songbirds rabbits and other rodents. There hasn't been any trouble in months!

Cooper's hawks will definitely kill full grown hens. They're a primary threat around here. We have a lot of cover, and they excel at hunting through it.

Since you have a nesting pair nearby a secure covered run for your chickens is probably a good idea for now.

 

[21hens-incharge]

No run. Coop abuts kitchen and opens to skinny side yard where I park rubbish bins etc. And my back door also enters that strip.

Im letting Missy roost at present and checking for any changes in condition. Would it be better to clean her up now if she's resting peacefully?

How about a chicken tunnel to a hoop run? Predator safe and still can give you access to your side yard.

 

[centrarchid]

Hawk involved immature, not likely part of a pair. An adult hen, even bantam, will be too large even for a female Coopers to pack back to nest. When I see Coopers hunt now, they are targeting what is is easy to carry. I see them hunt in close proximity to my chickens almost daily. Something is up for Coopers to make repeated attacks on adult chickens, especially when not successful the first time. Chickens can be dangerous to the hawk as well.

 

[Boonie Stomper]

One thing I have had success with is playing a radio. So, you might try that until you can secure a run for them. My first coop was among large mature trees, so no way to secure from above and I started losing lots of birds. I read about using a radio and did not lose another bird. I still turn on a radio as soon as I open the coop doors and it's been 2 years, since I've lost a bird and I live 200' from a woods. I hope your girl recovers....

Wonderful idea - Radio is a can do... and then my mind says play a continuous loop of crow calls!
The hawks never seem to be around when the crow are.

 

[Boonie Stomper]

Hawk involved immature, not likely part of a pair. An adult hen, even bantam, will be too large even for a female Coopers to pack back to nest. When I see Coopers hunt now, they are targeting what is is easy to carry. I see them hunt in close proximity to my chickens almost daily. Something is up for Coopers to make repeated attacks on adult chickens, especially when not successful the first time. Chickens can be dangerous to the hawk as well.

Isn't it unlikely these would be immature hawks, as it is still winter and nesting is only just getting started if at all yet?
Take another look:

 

[centrarchid]

Adult coloration bellow appears slate gray on back with generally reddish eyes. Age-1 (hatched in spring 2017) will be brown like yours and generally not participate in breeding until Age-2 when adult coloration is adopted. Mine was a male and was working pen area this morning but does not go after free-range chickens as the rooster would tear him a new one if he tried. Once hens with chicks, hens will go after hawk as well.

Did hawk try to get away from you? In one of the images he appears to be sitting funny.

 

[Shevraeth]

I'm having a hard time getting past the talons... look at those things! >.>

I have a sharp-shinned hawk nest in the creek in my backyard and they kill rabbits, squirrels, and songbirds on my porch where I keep my bird feeder (literally! I watch them spill guts on my porch! ). I agree with having to get a run built at this point because they know where prey is

Hopefully Missy recovers! Good luck!

 

[centrarchid]

A big female Sharp-shinned may approach size of birds posted in thread, a bit small to tackle rabbits and squirrels. They more typically take smaller songbirds. If taking rabbits, then Coopers or something larger.

 

[centrarchid]

And the Coopers and Sharp-shinned have a hard time doing damage to us because our skin is a lot thicker than what they usually grapple with.

 

[Boonie Stomper]

Adult coloration bellow appears slate gray on back with generally reddish eyes. Age-1 (hatched in spring 2017) will be brown like yours and generally not participate in breeding until Age-2 when adult coloration is adopted. Mine was a male and was working pen area this morning but does not go after free-range chickens as the rooster would tear him a new one if he tried. Once hens with chicks, hens will go after hawk as well.

View attachment 1301868

View attachment 1301870

Did hawk try to get away from you? In one of the images he appears to be sitting funny.

Both pictures are sittin funny IMO. The first was bird on floor after amoment or two of entering i think it was trying to size up its new predicament. It just sat there sprawled out staring at me. After i donned gloves and picked it up it sunk talons into one so tigbt it broke my skin through the leather and i removed the glove with my teeth to get my hand out and got the 2nd picture, bird still clenching that glove.
The eyes are yellow. Is that something that changes as hawks mature?