Walked out and found a hawk!

[3 Chicks]

My chickens were out free-ranging and I heard a loud noise. I went outside and a hawk flew away. I called the chickens (about 12 weeks old) and 2 out of 3 came out and frantically went in the coop. I found the 3rd one pinned under a bush scared to death. I pulled her out. Thankfully, she is fine (missing a few feathers, but doing okay). It turns out that either the chickens or the hawk knocked over a potted plant that was in the area which made the noise.

My question is, will I ever be able to let them free-range without being outside with them? Once they are full-grown, can I try again? I hate to think they wouldn't ever be able to be on their own outside again. Several people in my area have chickens that free-range all day and their chickens don't get eaten! Does anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks!

 

[centrarchid]

You never truely eliminate risk of loss to hawks when free ranging, although you can reduce risk. The following can increase your flock's resistance to losses by hawk depredation: multiple birds, larger bird size, cover to hide in, rooster in flock with hens, and a dog. Having something like another larger bird species can also help (i.e. turkey, goose, peafowl).

 

[chickortreat]

.

 

[fowlman33]

I concur....I have had hawk and owl issues. Once they discover that free meal, they will be back almost daily, especially an owl. but once the predator is removed

then you are free until the next one shows up !!

 

[centrarchid]

I have yet to kill a raptor and can stop them even after they take a bird or too. My flock is at times fairly sizable and juveniles and chicks are free-range so my charges are easier targets than even laying hens for raptors. I out smart raptors, not out gun or out trap them. I probably loose fewer birds to raptors than most as well.

 

[devora]

Well, for the most part once they are grown you might not have any issues. If your birds are big, as stated, they should be fine. No hawk is flying off w/ my huge GLWyandottes! Owls are nocturnal, aren't they?

Your birds are too young to be free ranging but when they are grown up try again. Yes, you might lose a bird sometime (I lost 4 to a fox this year) but it's the price ya pay for ranging. If it' worth it to you, try again!

 

[Eggcessive]

Just free range them when you are around to supervise them until they are full grown. I agree that they are too young to be out there without a big rooster or a guardian dog. I have the same issue right now, and have had a pesty juvenile hawk come round maybe 3 days in a row, skip a week or 10 days, then hang around for a couple more. It seems when they find a meal (my neighbor saw him get a black snake one day, he disappears for awhile. They really aren't an issue year round here, although I'm next to the woods, but having a good rooster to keep everyone alert is key. I can walk outside and tell when the hawk has been here--the rooster is making odd noises, and the gang of big chickens and 3 and 4 month-olds are hiding under the evergreen trees in their yard.

 

[3 Chicks]

Thanks for the wisdom. I am in an urban environment and really don't worry about too many predators except hawks. I can't have roosters where I live. But, I can put my dog out while the chickens are out. I will not even attempt this again until they are larger, though. They love to free range...I hate to take this away from them...I just realize I have to be out with them until they are full grown.

They will be full grown at 5 months, right?

I feel very fortunate that I found the hawk before it was too late.

 

[RachaelS]

We have hawks and black headed vultures (they kill chickens) everywhere around where I live. So I worked with their natural pattern and have not lost one of mine to them. Hawks and vultures tend to be out from morning till around 3ish. So I only free range from 5:00 till dusk. After the hawks are done for the day and before the owls come out. That might work until they get bigger.

 

[D3invertebrates]

Youve seen a buzzard kill a chicken? Ive never seen them even attempt to take a live bird, I guess if there hungry idk. Around my place hawks hunt till nightfall only breaking during midday here during the summer presumably because of the heat and sun. I have had problems with them in the past but having a bigger, better rooster helps. Only hawks I ever see now are in the distance.