What took my chicken? Is it going to take my ducks too?

[Miss Lydia]

Well we have a few. For starters we are building individual enclosed breeding pens inside the bigger pen. We also are building a watering station, so their buckets can be sheltered from the snow. We will be trying the PVC feeders and those will also have a covered station. We also are building a hay/straw and feed storage. Right now, the feed is in the basement and the hay/straw is stored in the opposite side of our yard in my son's workshop. Puke, right? Also we are building rain barrels for each pen, so during the unfrozen months we will have easier access to water for the ducks. I am sure I could add more to the list, but I won't bore you anymore.

I bet with all the snow it was a challenge getting hay, straw to the right places. There were days I could barely stand up if it hadn't been for my yak trax I would have sat down much more often.
When we converted my dh's Harley building into a duck house I had him put up a wall for me so I could have my feed room on one side. Sounds like ya'll have a good plan for this coming spring and summer.

 

[Learningstill]

We have not had anymore taken to date, but a hawk just flew over our yard scoping out everything. I ran outside, because our little bantam chicken was roaming the yard and I did not want her taken. My dog came out also and was barking. The hawk flew away without the chicken, but we were lucky. I brought her inside, but I wonder if it is going to return for a duck.... Hopefully not. I am going to go out and put up more line and ribbon. The goats knocked some down. Wish us luck. I hope this darn thing moves on without harming anyone here.

 

[Miss Lydia]

We have not had anymore taken to date, but a hawk just flew over our yard scoping out everything. I ran outside, because our little bantam chicken was roaming the yard and I did not want her taken. My dog came out also and was barking. The hawk flew away without the chicken, but we were lucky. I brought her inside, but I wonder if it is going to return for a duck.... Hopefully not. I am going to go out and put up more line and ribbon. The goats knocked some down. Wish us luck. I hope this darn thing moves on without harming anyone here.

it's never over even if this one leaves there will be one to take it's place we have them here year round, and so far since we put up the reflective tape one hasn't come down close, I still see them flying over head but high up. Shiny and reflective is what you want.

 

[heartsizedfarm]

I've noticed a lot more hawks around the barn this year, and I lost a little hen in the late fall to what appeared to be a hawk. Big pile of feathers. I think the winter must have been hard for hawks too, with maybe the deep snow making it hard to find their usual prey in the fields? I've even seen a hawk eating road kill this winter and I've never seen that before.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I've noticed a lot more hawks around the barn this year, and I lost a little hen in the late fall to what appeared to be a hawk. Big pile of feathers. I think the winter must have been hard for hawks too, with maybe the deep snow making it hard to find their usual prey in the fields? I've even seen a hawk eating road kill this winter and I've never seen that before.

I'm sure it's been a rough one on every living thing. I love to see the raptors I just don't want to see them eating my flock..

 

[Learningstill]

  it's never over even if this one leaves there will be one to take it's place we have them here year round, and so far since we put up the reflective tape one hasn't come down close, I still see them flying over head but high up. Shiny and reflective is what you want. 

I know, but it makes me feel better to not see them for awhile. It's funny, well not so much so, we have never seen a hawk around our home and not for the two years prior with the poultry living here. I am hoping once the weather becomes nice the hawks will return to their normal hunting and leave our babies alone. A gal can hope, right?

So far, the hawk has not returned today. I think it was after the chicken who escapes our pen to forage. I was so scared I ran out side without shoes and a coat screaming for the chicken and sprinting around the front and back yard looking for her. I ran through snow, mud, and thawing ice water.....brrrrr!


Anyways, back to what we did, we put up silver ribbon which reflects the light very brightly, and flouresent orange ribbon, and thick gauge fishing line. The only problem is the darn goats climb on stuff and chew the line and break it. So in those areas we have gaps unless I reapply.

I do not want the hawk getting any of the ducks, but there are certain ducks which have a great purpose and we will be heart broken if anything happens to them.
Thanks for the support!

 

[Learningstill]

I've noticed a lot more hawks around the barn this year, and I lost a little hen in the late fall to what appeared to be a hawk. Big pile of feathers. I think the winter must have been hard for hawks too, with maybe the deep snow making it hard to find their usual prey in the fields? I've even seen a hawk eating road kill this winter and I've never seen that before.

Where are you from? We have never had hawks here until this year and they are everywhere. We have even seen a bald eagle. I have never seen a bald eagle in my life! I wonder if the animals are a little whacko from this winter?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I know, but it makes me feel better to not see them for awhile. It's funny, well not so much so, we have never seen a hawk around our home and not for the two years prior with the poultry living here. I am hoping once the weather becomes nice the hawks will return to their normal hunting and leave our babies alone. A gal can hope, right?

So far, the hawk has not returned today. I think it was after the chicken who escapes our pen to forage. I was so scared I ran out side without shoes and a coat screaming for the chicken and sprinting around the front and back yard looking for her. I ran through snow, mud, and thawing ice water.....brrrrr!


Anyways, back to what we did, we put up silver ribbon which reflects the light very brightly, and flouresent orange ribbon, and thick gauge fishing line. The only problem is the darn goats climb on stuff and chew the line and break it. So in those areas we have gaps unless I reapply.

I do not want the hawk getting any of the ducks, but there are certain ducks which have a great purpose and we will be heart broken if anything happens to them.
Thanks for the support!

oh good I didn't know you put up shiny stuff too. When did you come to your senses and realize you were outside barefoot? lol what is the great purpose?

 

[heartsizedfarm]

Where are you from? We have never had hawks here until this year and they are everywhere. We have even seen a bald eagle. I have never seen a bald eagle in my life! I wonder if the animals are a little whacko from this winter?

I'm from southern Ontario in Canada. We have a lot of hawks and falcons around here, red-tailed and Coopers mainly, but usually, like I said, in the fields and woods. I walk the dogs around the hayfield and I can hear their high pitched screams. But I've never had them come up to the barn until this year.

 

[Learningstill]

oh good I didn't know you put up shiny stuff too. When did you come to your senses and realize you were outside barefoot? lol   what is the great purpose? 

Well, I actually went out in my slippers, but then I did not see the chicken and kicked them off as I started to run. It is lower 30s outside, but I could not tell until I ran through the ice water and continued to run frantically. Then my feet started to sting and then I realized how cold I was. That is when I ran in for my boots and ran back out for the chicken. I know pathetic, right?

I meant greater purpose, but they are either show ducks or breeding stock. The rest are egg givers or pets. My daughter's first duck is a mallard drake which is also her showmanship duck for fair. He is the smallest and probably the easiest target. Also, we have a trio of welsh harlequin for breeding stock.