We had never seen the hawk until the day he got her and we haven't seen the hawk since. We have heard it in the woods behind our house. The chickens are now spending a lot of their time in or near the run-in. Kudzu was an easy target because she was too big to fit through the fence easily. I assume when the hawk came, everyone made a dash for the run-in, but to get there they had to go through the fence. I guess she was having trouble finding a way through the fence. The sad thing is, there was a hen house 3 feet behind her, but she was trying to get to the run-in on the other side of the fence. We had talked many times about cutting a hole in the fence that she could fit through, but we didn't have the tools to do it so it never happened. I wish now that we had done it.
Our speckled sussex are starting to be friendly, so I hope we will have another friendly chicken someday. Buttercup, our other buff is not friendly.
19 comments:
Oh no! I've never seen a hawk go after such a big chicken. Our redtails leave my chickens alone.
So sorry. It's always the nice ones, too.
I am so sorry to hear about Kudzu, Christy. I have a favorite Buff hen as well and I know that I would be heart broken if something should happen to her.
Giving the chickens their freedom to roam is so important in keeping them healthy and happy, but sometimes it comes with a high price tag.
Sending you hugs...
Rhonda
Oh, I'm so sorry about Kudzu. Durn hawk!! Keep a close watch on the others, it's likely the hawk will be back.
Sorry to hear about Kudzu. And thanks for your warm wishes about our chickens. I don't think last week was a good week for chickens... Good luck with befriending the others.
Jennifer
What a bummer. It seems the owls or fox always get my favorites, but never the ones that are mean. As Sue said the hawk will probably be back. Whenever we have wildlife problems they stick around until they've wiped everyone out. Hopefully your other chicken will come around to being social.
May I just say, that is one reason, America needs to stayed armed.
I am sorry for your loss.
I'm really sorry you lost Kudzu! I hope the hawk is done now. Can you post a better picture of your speckled?? I'm wondering if that isn't what my favorite girl is.
terribly sad, you posted about Kudzu quite often, I feel like I knew her.
I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. Having something take one of my animals has been the hardest part of our "farming" adventure. We had a couple of hawks flying around the other day. My hope is that my yard is too cluttered and small to encourage them to try taking one of my birds, but I don't know. They haven't taken anyone, yet, but we're always aware that it's a possibility. We learned our lesson with the raccoon.
So Sorry to hear about Kudzu. I worry about Hawks here with all my babies.
Thank you everyone. It was hard. I found her and it wasn't pretty. We do miss her. The chicks are social, just not friendly like Kudzu was.
Gail - yes, you may say that. I'm totally with you.
The hawk hasn't come back and like I said the others hang near the run-in where they can easily run to safety. Or they hang out with the sheep.
oh no, I am so sorry! She was my favorite blog chicken. I am so sorry for your loss, it is never easy to lose a pet.
Oh no! So sorry about Kudzu. Poor thing.
We had a rabbit in it's outdoor run get taken by a hawk a couple years ago. We had stepped into the house for a cold drink...and when we came back out a few minutes later, she was gone. No hawk to even be seen.
That was my biggest fear for my floack of chickens, too. That's why they are not free-range, except when I can be outside with them, guarding them from hawks and other predators, like stray dogs, etc.
We keep our 16 chickens in a very large coop with bird netting over it and have never lost one to any predators.
~Lisa
Christy, I felt so bad when Mark told me about Kudzu. I know how much you and Logan loved her. I'm sorry you had to find her that way. Hopefully the hawk is gone for good (but I doubt that)and the other chickens can make it back to safety if need be. She will be missed. Don't know if making the hole bigger is a good idea - maybe some other unwanted critter could get in as well.
I always love to see hawks around but that really sucks when you have critters outside...sorry...
Awww...what a blow. So sorry to hear that Christy. You'll really have to keep your eyes peeled now, as it will be back. I've heard many people have had success hanging those free CD's you get in the mail up from string, so that they blow and flash in the wind and keep the hawks at bay. Good luck, my friend! :)
I am sorry about Kudzu :(
Yeah, it's a bummer to lose a good hen... I'm convinced a flock can only be too big or too small.
Ron
Sorry to hear about Kudzu! We always have to be on the lookout for the hawks too, and at night I have to make sure to get all the hens in the coop and lock it or they may be taken by the fox! I hate it when things like that happen : (
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