Just had a hawk or raptor attack. I'm working at home today, and heard a different bird call. Did not recognize it as a hawk. It was followed by hysterical squawking and alarm calls from the flock. I ran out, found chickens either frozen in position or running and screaming.
I have so much dense vegation in the run that you can't really see very clearly in most areas. I was pushing in the pines (there are 5 mature pines in the run) and could hear a big whoosh as something big flapped away - I couldn't see the sky so can't identify it. Flock was pretty hysterical and I was pretty worried. There are areas I can't really get to because of the overgrowth - and I didn't want to call the birds out of the sheltered areas into the open so I could count them.
I think everyone is safe but everyone is not accounted for....and there are hawks circling. Thank goodness I'm home today!
Gonna run the lawn mower on my break for more distraction.
