Worked on a farm previously, now I am trying to raise chickens on my own.

[Ursula09]

I have 6 chickens, and one rooster. The chickens are almost ready to lay their first egg. I would have lost one of my chickens were it not for my rooster creating a lot of ruckus! Lux ( the name of that white leghorn chicken), always has a habit of flying over the fence. I was inside, so I couldn't see her outside of the fence. All of a sudden Lazarus Leaf, my leghorn rooster made such a racket that I went outside to investigate. I saw a whitish looking small hawk sitting on top of Lux and starting to rip out her feathers. I went outside of the fence area and almost ran to the hawk. The hawk let go of Lux and she went back into the yard in a hurry. All seven of them went into the coop before daylight was gone. I am going to keep them in the coop for a few days while i am looking for ways to keep them safer. I hope my girls learned their lesson about being outside the fence.

 

[Kiki]

Welcome to BYC!
We are glad you joined our flock!

This video will help you learn how to navigate this site:

Coop Ideas:
Chicken Coops
There are a couple of links in my signature that are worth the short read.
BYC has an APP

 

[BlueBaby]

Welcome! You need to fix your fence so that she cannot fly over it. If she can fly over it, then the hawk can fly into it!

 

[FarmerGirl101]

Welcome to BYC!

 

[N F C]

Lux is one lucky girl, glad things turned out ok!

 

[50-45-1]

Welcome to the world of chickens where it is a constant battle with preditors.
Everything eats chickens!
Glad you and your rooster saved your hen!
Welcome to the backyard!

 

[Ursula09]

I

Welcome! You need to fix your fence so that she cannot fly over it. If she can fly over it, then the hawk can fly into it!

Will it help if I add about 1" strip of chicken wire to the top of the fence at a slight angle? All the other chickens stay in their fenced area. I have even trimmed their wing feathers to discourage flying. Lux is determined to get to the other side. I read on the forum that Hawks will come back, is that true? I had a covered area while they were smaller, but it became a problem in my yard, so I took it down again. My neighbors are supposed to come and move my coop for me, so I can work on making it completely hawk proof. Thank you so much for all the advice.

 

[Ursula09]

I

Welcome! You need to fix your fence so that she cannot fly over it. If she can fly over it, then the hawk can fly into it!

Will it help if I add about 1" strip of chicken wire to the top of the fence at a slight angle? All the other chickens stay in their fenced area. I have even trimmed their wing feathers to discourage flying. Lux is determined to get to the other side. I read on the forum that Hawks will come back, is that true? I had a covered area while they were smaller, but it became a problem in my yard, so I took it down again. My neighbors are supposed to come and move my coop for me, so I can work on making it completely hawk proof. Thank you so much for all the advice.

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. The hawk will return. A pen top and monitored free ranging are in order.

 

[MissChick@dee]

Hiya
Nice to meet you!
LUCKY Lux!!
Oh those leghorns!! Agile trim, strong little athletes.
My favorite!! In fact as I was posting she flew up in my lap and I had to stop. Spoiled.
You might want to trim those flight feathers. That hawk will be back. I have NO love for hawks. Best wishes