The road less traveled...back to good health! They have lice, mites, scale mites, worms, anemia, gl

[Beekissed]

The pop door is a good start. Now that your hawk has been successful in getting to your birds, he will be doubly hard to deter. A dog that is constantly out in the chicken yard area is a great deterrent...I see you have several pooches that would be great for that. Even if you can't trust them around a chicken, you can put them on a run line next to the foraging area and his running back and forth can be a deterrent.

Hawk hides out on the open territory...you can create these with tarps, pallets, shrubbery..anything a chicken can duck underneath to avoid the attack from above. Tin or plywood up on concrete blocks works great...anything that can slow down an attack can possibly deter one.

 

[maggiemo]

Wow Bee, you don't know anyone who has had a dog killed by a coyote? I can't count the number of dogs I know who have been attacted or killed by coyote. I know people who have kids who have been attacts. I work at a Market Farm here and I see coyote almost daily. Mountain lions and coyote and bear (and everything else) travel the irrigation ditches. It's like thier highway.
The coyote pack send a female out to attract dogs to come and 'play'. When the dog goes to 'say hi' to the female coyote the pack attacts the dog.

 

[Beekissed]

Wow Bee, you don't know anyone who has had a dog killed by a coyote? I can't count the number of dogs I know who have been attacted or killed by coyote. I know people who have kids who have been attacts. I work at a Market Farm here and I see coyote almost daily. Mountain lions and coyote and bear (and everything else) travel the irrigation ditches. It's like thier highway.
The coyote pack send a female out to attract dogs to come and 'play'. When the dog goes to 'say hi' to the female coyote the pack attacts the dog.

Yes...dogs that are free to "go out and play" must be a good target.

Like I said, urban areas....coyotes have to find food there and have grown used to and not frightened of the human population.

Anywhere they have a Farmer's Market is an urban area, IMO....real rural areas don't need Farmer's Markets, they are all farmers and grow their own stuff and so there is no market for selling unless it's to the urbanites.

 

[maggiemo]

That's true about the urban area for the Market...we are grateful for that! Keeps me in work!

 

[aoxa]

Aoxa, nice barn. Is that a "Frilkie"? *snicker*

He's a sizzle

The pop door is a good start.  Now that your hawk has been successful in getting to your birds, he will be doubly hard to deter.  A dog that is constantly out in the chicken yard area is a great deterrent...I see you have several pooches that would be great for that.  Even if you can't trust them around a chicken, you can put them on a run line next to the foraging area and his running back and forth can be a deterrent. 

Hawk hides out on the open territory...you can create these with tarps, pallets, shrubbery..anything a chicken can duck underneath to avoid the attack from above.  Tin or plywood up on concrete blocks works great...anything that can slow down an attack can possibly deter one. 

 

Thanks so much. I have tons of pallets, and can easily use those on blocks to create shelter.

I'll be putting my dogs to work tomorrow. Clem on a lead. She is not to be trusted near the barn. She has zero respect for us.

Oh and apparently they recommend against getting these types of dogs fixed before a year.. They go through a stage where their hormones calm them down right around a year.. Did I fix her too fast?

The neighbours have mentioned a hawk sitting in trees, but this was months ago. First attempts now. Why do you think that would be? Is winter/fall even worse for hawks attacking chickens?

 

[Beekissed]

Food supply and demand....all the small rodents, ground hogs and such are going into a semi hibernation state. Plus, you got "cased" for ease of getting in and getting out and the plan has been executed. He'll be back.

 

[Leahs Mom]

He's a sizzle

Oh and apparently they recommend against getting these types of dogs fixed before a year.. They go through a stage where their hormones calm them down right around a year.. Did I fix her too fast?

I don't think anyone would say that MY HORMONES have made me calmer

I digress...

 

[aoxa]

Food supply and demand....all the small rodents, ground hogs and such are going into a semi hibernation state.  Plus, you got "cased" for ease of getting in and getting out and the plan has been executed.  He'll be back. 

 

This is frustrating. Clem didn't even react to the situation.

 

[normanack]

Food supply and demand....all the small rodents, ground hogs and such are going into a semi hibernation state. Plus, you got "cased" for ease of getting in and getting out and the plan has been executed. He'll be back.

The big hawk that hit two of my chickens a couple days ago (and must have been extraordinarily inept because it didn't kill or seriously maim either of them) was back yesterday, scaring the heck out of them. I kept them in the coop and covered run -- not enough space, but it's just till today when we are stringing fishing line or twine and making hawk-hides.

Question: I've read that fishing line can work to deter hawks (and herons from ponds, etc.) because it's shiny, which is confusing to the hawk. My husband doesn't believe this and wants to use twine. I think any self-respecting hawk would dive in and around twine with no problem -- it's kind of like thin vines.

Any opinions or experience with this? I'd appreciate it. Thanks!

 

[delisha]

You did nothing wrong about getting your dog fixed. It was the responsible thing to do. You have a problem and you are fixing it. Relax, you are doing all you can do!
On a better note..I am on the way to the State Championship Football game. My grandson is playing and we are so proud of him. He plays on Varsity even if he is the youngest. A wonderful grownup kid! We are so excited. Have a great day, I will see you all tomorrow!