We had a hawk attack, he was thankfully unsuccessful though. But we kept the hens and rooster confined to a covered run for about 6 weeks. After that we let them free range again and have not seen the hawk again. I think they move on, as you said, when food is not as available.
Just did this in May as well! We moved them at night and they did fantastic! Off the roost, into the car for 2 hour ride, quietly placed onto the new roost/coop at midnight. Slept like babies and awoke to new coop, never missed a beat in egg laying! So proud of them!!
Yes! Been busy, moved, added four new hens, trying to build a house! Then the hawk attack, just when the hens were living life chasing crickets in the fields. Always something!! Thanks for the articles on the “guard goose”. Truly think this hawk may have been deterred by some loud geese this...
Had a hawk attack our hens this morning. Now I’m scared to free range anymore. Our hens have open fields as well as woods to free range, which saved them this time. Got them secured in a covered run now but feel so sorry for them! They want out! How can we ever free range again!
We’d really like to get some different colored eggs and chickens to incubate this spring to add to our aging Buff Orpington and Easter Egger flock of 9 hens. We are only getting 2-3 eggs/day this summer as the hens are not only getting older (most 3 yo only 3 are 1 yo) and hot! What would be the...
I heard the Canadian wildfire smoke had drifted into NY and VA over last weekend making air quality poor. Probably what has happened to you. Not sure anything can be done however.
Our Buff Orpingtons (4 hens 1 rooster) were raised by us from the egg. We love them and they are great egg layers. But our "first born" started out with a quarter sized bare spot below her vent and now in a matter of weeks, it is the size of her whole butt! I am horrified! They are on grower...
Your article was very informative, but I'm still not sure that's the problem we have. Our Buff Orpingtons (4 hens 1 rooster) were raised by us from the egg. We love them and they are great egg layers. But our "first born" started out with a quarter sized bare spot below her vent and now in a...
Hi - I'm new to chickens and I have a dumb question! Is a white legging chicken the same as a white leghorn? Looking to get hens to add to our buff orpington flock, and was not sure. Thanks!