Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[EggHead in SnoCo]

I think some hawks are migratory, and others stay around in the same area year round. Do you have owls around too?

We had an owl around last year - would hear it early in the morning - but no signs of one since.

I’m still trying to figure out the Hawk situation which is why I posted here. I thought even Red Tails went South but maybe some Canadian hawks migrate to here, but not sure. Will keep researching unless someone chimes in. It’s just odd as this summer was really the first time we saw them regularly. Eagles were always an issue, but not the hawks - at least that we know of.

 

[Hinotori]

Hi,
I’m in Mill Creek/Snohomish area by Glacier Peak High School with some backyard chickens and wondering if the Hawks migrate out of the area. We had a lot of hawk activity in October with hawks landing in the backyard and on the fence but not seeing any the last couple weeks. I’d been keeping the chickens in the run but was going to let them out during the day again.

I tied a search on hawks but hadn’t seen anything current or in the predictor thread. If I missed, please let me know.
Thanks!

I know the red tailed hawks hang around here (Graham) all year. I pay off the raven mafia to make them scarce. The chickens still must all be under cover in the second half of winter when the hawks are getting more desperate

 

[EggHead in SnoCo]

I know the red tailed hawks hang around here (Graham) all year. I pay off the raven mafia to make them scarce. The chickens still must all be under cover in the second half of winter when the hawks are getting more desperate

Got it. We get a huge influx of crows around March April and they usually chase off the Eagles. Now that I think about it, I saw a lot fewer crows this summer so perhaps that related to increased hawks. It’s weird how that cycles from year-to-year. We use to have lots of bobcats, then none for a couple years, now they are everywhere again.

 

[Smokerbill]

I know the red tailed hawks hang around here (Graham) all year. I pay off the raven mafia to make them scarce. The chickens still must all be under cover in the second half of winter when the hawks are getting more desperate

So how do you keep the ravens around? Feed them regularly? They'd definitely be good raptor watchdogs.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Hey good Morning we see hawks flying away from here.
There are trees natural cover for them.

 

[Hinotori]

So how do you keep the ravens around? Feed them regularly? They'd definitely be good raptor watchdogs.

I put out extra eggs for them at random times. They come check if there are some. Only have a pair that is regular. They will circle over me if they see me outside so I'll get them some.

We have had wars out there between ravens and crows over eggs.

 

[Kmaria187]

Well I have a bunch of slackers !!! All 9 of them. They just want to hangout all day. Only been getting like 1 or 2 eggs a day

 

[pennyJo1960]

I may get up to 4 right now just that time of year. I did hatch and buy at auction young birds to raise they are not all laying yet.

 

[FiddleheadFarmer]

Hello Washingtonians. I have 8 layers who are behaving more like 3 layers right now. My barred rocks and a lavender orpington still are plopping out eggs but the EEs and Buff orpingtons all quit. Spring will be a different story - I have seven 6-week olds in the big brooder and two under 10 days in the little brooder. The incubator should produce another 5-7 this weekend. My swedish flower hen chicks will be here end of the month - so I could have up to 24 hens all laying in April! Woo! For now it's just a good time to build more roosts, improve the grounds, teach chickens tricks, and enjoy the rains.

 

[Kmaria187]

Hello Washingtonians. I have 8 layers who are behaving more like 3 layers right now. My barred rocks and a lavender orpington still are plopping out eggs but the EEs and Buff orpingtons all quit. Spring will be a different story - I have seven 6-week olds in the big brooder and two under 10 days in the little brooder. The incubator should produce another 5-7 this weekend. My swedish flower hen chicks will be here end of the month - so I could have up to 24 hens all laying in April! Woo! For now it's just a good time to build more roosts, improve the grounds, teach chickens tricks, and enjoy the rains.

your gonna have your hands full in April!!