Winter predation?

[guineapeeps]

I agree that it all depends on where you live. In Iowa, summer is the worst because of the tall standing corn. Predators hide out in it day and night just hoping to grab a free meal. That time of year, the fox and coyote are very bold and don’t hesitate to come in the yard in the middle of the day trying to get some free ranging “fast food”.

 

[Eric R]

You know I was just pondering this same situation. What I have noticed is that the birds of prey are worst in the spring due to longer days but not yet hotter days. Summer is still bad just more in the morning and evening hrs. Although if parasites are considered predators then they are bad too in the summer. Fall and winter are bad with night time critters since now they have longer nights. Racoons, opossums etc. Owls also seem to stay out later as summer turns to fall. As though they are getting anxious about the longer nights to come. We seem to get owl attacks very early morning around this time. But yes Spring is the worst.

 

[NHMountainMan]

I'll admit to be apprehensive about winter. I've already got coyote tracks circling the electric net - and with snow on the ground, I'm not getting as much juice on the fence. I've kept them in the run, which I think is very secure, and no coyote can get through. Black bear are hibernating. But Fisher cats can chew through anything, and a neighbor (about 3/4 miles away) lost 50 chickens to a bobcat (she lets them free range with no run available). But now that she's without chickens - worried the bobcat will turn his attention to my little flock.

 

[ChickenQuilt]

I just lost my first chicken 12/2. my vote.---Winter. Raccoon.

 

[Rothy_058]

Too many variables depending on where you are I reckon. For us in the UK it has to be the spring/summer. The only real threat here has been rats which I had to tackle very recently...they have been dealt with for now for me and I'm unlikely to see any new threats before next spring....

 

[Ghosty]

I free range and so far, for me, it has been hawks in the winter. Losing the leaf cover hurts. Thankfully, they still have a lot of woods and other cover.
Last winter I lost a little stag on Christmas to a red tail. I came home and it was standing on him. A chicken hawk made a dive while I was standing right there. They had found cover under the boat lean to, and the hawk pulled up short.
I've seen a couple big hawks fly through and start circling already this year. One was intent and I kept making noise till it left.
Then, yesterday a hawk took one of my game pullets, and my game stag was standing one legged. He ripped a claw off. I hope he sunk it in the hawk.

 

[natyvidal]

I live north of Dade City, FL. I venture with trepidation to talk about the dangers of the predators to my flock so as not to jinx me. I think I’ve been very lucky so far. Only lost one hen to a predator and another young one to a neighborhood dog during my first year. Both losses in early summer. But, that’s because I let the flock free range throughout my property all day. I know there are inherent dangers in the risky practice and feel it’s ok. My hens are happy hens and roosters doing what it’s natural for them. I do keep a mix flock with guinea hens that serve as guards. As soon as you hear the guineas doing their special screech, you can see the hens and roosters running for cover. When I look to the sky I can see the big birds, (maybe hawks,) circling up there. When they are gone the guineas change their screech to let everyone know the danger is past and you can see how the behavior changes. The flock ventures out again out of cover to do their thing. It’s Really interesting to watch. I always count them first thing in the morning when I let them out to make sure I have them all. Knock on wood, the totals haven’t change in months.

 

[NHMountainMan]

I free range and so far, for me, it has been hawks in the winter. Losing the leaf cover hurts. Thankfully, they still have a lot of woods and other cover.
Last winter I lost a little stag on Christmas to a red tail. I came home and it was standing on him. A chicken hawk made a dive while I was standing right there. They had found cover under the boat lean to, and the hawk pulled up short.
I've seen a couple big hawks fly through and start circling already this year. One was intent and I kept making noise till it left.
Then, yesterday a hawk took one of my game pullets, and my game stag was standing one legged. He ripped a claw off. I hope he sunk it in the hawk.
View attachment 1975545

We have all sorts of raptors spring -fall but most have gone south for the winter. Sorry for your losses.

 

[NHMountainMan]

I live north of Dade City, FL. I venture with trepidation to talk about the dangers of the predators to my flock so as not to jinx me. I think I’ve been very lucky so far. Only lost one hen to a predator and another young one to a neighborhood dog during my first year. Both losses in early summer. But, that’s because I let the flock free range throughout my property all day. I know there are inherent dangers in the risky practice and feel it’s ok. My hens are happy hens and roosters doing what it’s natural for them. I do keep a mix flock with guinea hens that serve as guards. As soon as you hear the guineas doing their special screech, you can see the hens and roosters running for cover. When I look to the sky I can see the big birds, (maybe hawks,) circling up there. When they are gone the guineas change their screech to let everyone know the danger is past and you can see how the behavior changes. The flock ventures out again out of cover to do their thing. It’s Really interesting to watch. I always count them first thing in the morning when I let them out to make sure I have them all. Knock on wood, the totals haven’t change in months.

This is my first year with chickens. I've let them range within an electric netted area. But now that we've got snow cover I realize how much they stand out against the backdrop of snow, with no leaves etc. Fortunately raptors have mostly moved south. We've still got owls but my bigger concern are bobcat, coyote and fisher cats. But as you say- letting them out comes with trade off of happy chickens vs inherent risk.

 

[guineapeeps]

I live north of Dade City, FL. I venture with trepidation to talk about the dangers of the predators to my flock so as not to jinx me. I think I’ve been very lucky so far. Only lost one hen to a predator and another young one to a neighborhood dog during my first year. Both losses in early summer. But, that’s because I let the flock free range throughout my property all day. I know there are inherent dangers in the risky practice and feel it’s ok. My hens are happy hens and roosters doing what it’s natural for them. I do keep a mix flock with guinea hens that serve as guards. As soon as you hear the guineas doing their special screech, you can see the hens and roosters running for cover. When I look to the sky I can see the big birds, (maybe hawks,) circling up there. When they are gone the guineas change their screech to let everyone know the danger is past and you can see how the behavior changes. The flock ventures out again out of cover to do their thing. It’s Really interesting to watch. I always count them first thing in the morning when I let them out to make sure I have them all. Knock on wood, the totals haven’t change in months.

I just love guineas! They are awesome watch dogs/alarm systems. Mine would always seem to know that there was a predator coming before I could even see anything (this was especially true with aerial predators like hawks and eagles). They are great at pest control as well, which is a huge added bonus!