TOMTE
Crowing
I am, too. The attempts mostly seem to be happening in the morning. I might start waiting to let them out of their run until the afternoon, when there's a little less hawk activity around here. Although it's good practice and experience for them to pass on to future flock members, I don't want to take more risk than necessary. They are my babies, after all.
Dad wants to build a super large run for them next year if possible, because he's so nervous about free ranging with all these hawks around. From what he's imagining, it would be around 400sqft of safe space for them. That'd be perfect.
For now, they have so many safe spots around the property not including the shelter we built (bushes, brush piles, a small trailer to hide under, etc) and they utilize them constantly. It's cool watching them go from cover to cover while they forage. They're smart chickens, nearly always aware of their surroundings while out and about, keeping in touch with each other. When one gets separated she will call out and the others will answer. So sweet to see them greet the one who lagged behind, even if most of the time it includes a peck on the back, like, "pay attention, dummy! Stay with the group!"
Anyways, I'm rambling. Point is, I love my sweet girls. I'm afraid for them too, but I also love seeing them so happy out there free ranging. Hopefully we can figure something out before we have to go through any losses.
