Dealing with guilt from hawk attack

[Ajp23]

Yesterday a red-tailed hawk killed two of our chickens in the run. We were in the midst of changing out our netting on the top of the run and I guess it took the small window of opportunity to attack . It killed two of our sweetest most personable hens - isn’t that the way it always goes?

Anyway, I know I’m far from the first to report losses from an attack but man, I feel so guilty. It was one day without the net but that was long enough. The other chickens refuse to leave their coop now, I’m sure this is normal and I should expect it for a few days? The net is now replaced and secure, too little too late. I just hope the remaining hens will come around.

I also feel terrible that it was my kids who discovered the scene when they went to take out water since their waterer had frozen up. A good time for a talk and lesson to be learned I guess.

Here is one we lost, Splash - photo taken the night before!! We laughed that she looked like a little Lorax.

 

[Noraaaaa]

I’m so sorry for your loss it’s so hard I’m sure they had a great life with you! Some of our favorite birds are our favorite because we baby them and they are docile. The birds who are not like tagt are not our favorites, but they can run away better because they are less docile. It’s the worst that’s just my theory but I think it’s at least a little accurate.

The chickens are probably quite scared but they should be find in about a week. Make sure you double check the run!

 

[GodLovesU]

Sorry for your loss. Splash is PRECIOUS. As a childhood chicken-keeper I found a lot of dead chickens, it’s just a part of life. Just remember that this happened when you were trying to keep them safe, you were taking care of them.

 

[FrostRanger]

Sorry for your loss. Sometimes that kind of thing happens, Your birds will eventually calm down, just give them time. The hawk might have been more desperate than usual due to it being late winter, in any case, if the Hawks in your area are that aggressive then in the future it might be best at least for your peace of mind to lock them in the coop while you change the netting

 

[Ajp23]

Sorry for your loss. Sometimes that kind of thing happens, Your birds will eventually calm down, just give them time. The hawk might have been more desperate than usual due to it being late winter, in any case, if the Hawks in your area are that aggressive then in the future it might be best at least for your peace of mind to lock them in the coop while you change the netting

You are right about putting them away next time. It makes me wary of any free ranging in the future - the old debate if the risk is worth it for them to enjoy the extra space and activity. I’ll revisit that quite a while from now once everyone has recovered and calmed down.

 

[FrostRanger]

You are right about putting them away next time. It makes me wary of any free ranging in the future - the old debate if the risk is worth it for them to enjoy the extra space and activity. I’ll revisit that quite a while from now once everyone has recovered and calmed down.

If you do free range, generally hawks are less active after like 1 or 2pm so you might want to wait until around then

 

[Ajp23]

If you do free range, generally hawks are less active after like 1 or 2pm so you might want to wait until around then

Good to know. When we’ve let them out in the past it’s usually late afternoon and usually, not always, we are out there with them. It is two acres though and heavily treed, but being winter there are obviously no leaves. I always felt like the leafed out trees provided protection but maybe that was just wishful thinking on my part. More trees = more places for a hawk to lurk? I don’t know.

They have a good size run but I’d hate for them to never get to enjoy their space and foraging.

 

[FrostRanger]

Good to know. When we’ve let them out in the past it’s usually late afternoon and usually, not always, we are out there with them. It is two acres though and heavily treed, but being winter there are obviously no leaves. I always felt like the leafed out trees provided protection but maybe that was just wishful thinking on my part. More trees = more places for a hawk to lurk? I don’t know.

They have a good size run but I’d hate for them to never get to enjoy their space and foraging.

Everyone has their own comfort level with that kind of thing. As long as they have an appropriately sized quality run they will be happy either way.
I do occasionally free range, but not often and usually right before dusk. Not because of predators, but because I don't fancy having to herd them out of my neighbor's yard every half hour. If I wait until late in the day they tend to stay in the yard

 

[Seaslug]

I agree with FrostRanger... People will say, how can you deny your birds the right to free range? People use to think that pet dogs should "free range;" now it is irresponsible. I must make sure my animals are safe. What with avian flu and predators... I make sure that my hens have things to do in their run. The time outside -- I do what I can to give them time with me inside our fenced garden or supervised limited free range time in late afternoon -- is gravy, and I do not feel guilty if that time is limited or does not happen. From what I can tell, they are happy and healthy -- not pining away at the run door wishing they were free ranging. I don't think that is the way chickens live their lives.

 

[Ajp23]

I agree with FrostRanger... People will say, how can you deny your birds the right to free range? People use to think that pet dogs should "free range;" now it is irresponsible. I most make sure my animals are safe. What with avian flu and predators... I make sure that my hens have things to do in their run. The time outside -- I do what I can to give them time with me inside our fenced garden or supervised limited free range time in late afternoon -- is gravy, and I do not feel guilty if that time is limited or does not happen. From what I can tell, they are happy and healthy -- not pining away at the run door wishing they were free ranging. I don't think that is the way chickens live their lives.

Any ideas for things to do in the run? I have climbing ladders made from thin tree logs, dust bathing pans, a roosting platform and of course scratching around, food, water. Maybe that’s enough. They still pace by the door when they see us coming but maybe that’s just because the norm is that they’ll be let out to graze. If that time is reduced, hopefully they’ll adapt and be more content in the run.

I’d still like to give them a little time in the later afternoon when they are confident again. I’ll be sure to be with them and have the dogs out if that happens.