Will a silkie bantam be eaten by predators?

[Little Chickens12]

I live in Wisconsin, in an area where the only possible predators are birds of prey. I really want a silkie, and the only breed I could find near me is a white silkie bantam. I am a bit worried about a bird swooping in the outdoor run and injuring her or possibly carrying her off, because she would be small, unlike my four other chickens. Would this be a problem?

 

[SunHwaKwon]

Yes, that is possible, though IME they do not carry them off but instead land on the bird and peck its head and then eat it right there on the ground. The best preventative is to cover the run, either with something solid or with heavy duty netting. Even your large girls can become victims, though I think they usually go for the smaller ones.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! Silkies are fragile little guys, and often will do best in their own separate coop. Don't get only one! Get at least three, so they have flockmates. Any of your birds can be eaten by so many different predators, and Silkies will probably be first in line. A safe coop and covered run, for sure. Mary

 

[bobbieschicks]

Yes. Real possibility. We left our flock free ranging and came home from church to find a hawk eating my beautiful black Silkie in the backyard. It tried to fly off with her when I ran at it screaming.

I have a Partridge Silkie now. She's the only remaining Silkie in my flock at present. She's a wonderful broody and is presently raising two adopted chicks who are now 3 weeks old. She's four years old and very good at hiding/blending. She's very aware of dangers because she's not very fluffy on her crown and can see pretty well. If she were more show quality I would be concerned about free ranging her.

My flock spends most of their time in their 40'x30' outdoor run that is covered in bird netting on the top and welded wire in the bottom. The run has helped to keep them safe from the hawks that occasionally visit. Now that it has also been electrified with hot wire the run keeps out my dog who has killed three of my chickens.

 

[scottcaddy]

Yes, that is possible, though IME they do not carry them off but instead land on the bird and peck its head and then eat it right there on the ground. The best preventative is to cover the run, either with something solid or with heavy duty netting. Even your large girls can become victims, though I think they usually go for the smaller ones.

Not to start an argument with you, but I have seen Raptors swoop in and carry off a silkie sized bird. They might not get very far, but they can carry them away from your yard/free range area.
Just what I have seen here in my area.
Scott

 

[SunHwaKwon]

Not to start an argument with you, but I have seen Raptors swoop in and carry off a silkie sized bird. They might not get very far, but they can carry them away from your yard/free range area.
Just what I have seen here in my area.
Scott

I was not saying they can't or won't, just stating that IME (in my experience, ie what I have witnessed) they do not.

 

[bobbieschicks]

The red tailed hawk that was munching my poor black Silkie on the ground attempted to fly off with her but couldn't get her very far. I have every confidence that the Cooper's hawk or eagles or osprey we see here often could have picked her up and flown off without dropping her.