Well, apparently I have hawks

[jamz]

Lost one of my three little 4 week old chickies this afternoon.

They were out with me while I worked outside (on a laptop at a table). I was in and out of the house all day.

Went in, came back out in a few minutes, and all 3 chicks were...gone. I found two of them cowering under a bush in another part of the yard. No feathers, no blood, just a gone chick. The kids are upset, they were attached.

Later on a saw a huge hawk circling a field that abuts our land.

I underestimated the hunting abilities of hawks, the chicks were under a chair, and mostly covered with a blanket.

 

[TipsyDog]

So sorry for you! Hawks are very fast and good at what they do. They will now circle your property for awhile looking for more chicken dinner. I've had them come and go all winter here and take alot of doves feeding at my bird feeder.

I'd keep the little ones safe for a few weeks in a covered pen. I've seen hawks pick up birds with me standing 10 feet away! Be careful!

 

[mediazeal]

Did you look again after the dust settled? Is it possible she is hiding someplace?

I'm so sorry you lost one, I was just wishing.

 

[jamz]

We looked all around, no luck so far. I hope we find her, but don't have a lot of hope.


My plan was to kick them outside this weekend too! Guess this is going to change my free-ranging plans.

 

[mediazeal]

I'm so sorry.

It makes me concerned as well because I do need mine to free range (they are still inside right now, 5 weeks old). They have tons of things to hide under but you are saying yours were under a chair and blanket and you lost one......... so you had provided cover and you STILL lost one.

Just crummy.