Janty Posted April 1, 2008 Share Posted April 1, 2008 The other day hubby saw a bird of prey swoop down on our girls as they were free-ranging. He said that it swooped about a foot over the big girls heads. It's just happened again as I was watching them out of the window. The cochins weren't bothered....too laid back and too large to be carried away but I reckon that it could take one of the little pekins. I'm not sure what it was but it looked menacing. Stupid thing is that the girls are NOT running back to the hen house or panicing in any way. They just went back to grazing on the tiny amount of grass that we have left. Talk about a relaxed attitude to life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LJ's Chooks Posted April 1, 2008 Share Posted April 1, 2008 We've had a similar thing, a sparrow hawk that just sits on a post near the chicken run and watches. Should i be worried would they really try and take a chicken, or are they just admiring how beautiful they are Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mirkwood Posted April 1, 2008 Share Posted April 1, 2008 wake up girlies you are under attack. we have a sparrowhawk that comes around i would say its one of them. talk about being easy going Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LJ's Chooks Posted April 1, 2008 Share Posted April 1, 2008 Under attack ... We've only seen it once and not been back, I think she was waiting for the pidgeons to settle again, they seem to be her favourite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted April 1, 2008 Share Posted April 1, 2008 Someone's chicken was attacked by a hawk, I cant remember if it survived as it was a while ago. I think you cochin giriles will be safe, but keep an eye on the little'uns Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bellekatz Posted April 1, 2008 Share Posted April 1, 2008 Someone's chicken was attacked by a hawk, I cant remember if it survived as it was a while ago. I think you cochin giriles will be safe, but keep an eye on the little'uns That was Nichola H. Her girl did survive but from what I remember it wasnt a wild bird, it was someone flying a bird in the fields at the back of her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LJ's Chooks Posted April 1, 2008 Share Posted April 1, 2008 I'll definitely keep an eye out in future, We live in open country side so between foxes and BOP we've got a lot to handle when they go out in their pen... We've heard such horrid stories on here recently, Oh for a happy story! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggy Posted April 1, 2008 Share Posted April 1, 2008 a buzzard took my big gingernut ranger last year, it was HUGE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted April 1, 2008 Author Share Posted April 1, 2008 a buzzard took my big gingernut ranger last year, it was HUGE OMG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted April 1, 2008 Share Posted April 1, 2008 They will attack chickens & we have a family of 5-6 buzzards close by, so I am keeping an eye on my girls. Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted April 1, 2008 Share Posted April 1, 2008 Two of my bantams were taken last year and I am pretty sure that Sparrowhawks were responsible. Our neighbours have seen them taking doves from their garden, and my girls were only very small so easy prey. I am not taking any chances now, and am putting heavy duty poultry netting over the fenced area I have just made for the girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mirkwood Posted April 1, 2008 Share Posted April 1, 2008 LJ's Chooks said- Under attack ... sorry meant for previous poster saying girlies took no notice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little chickadee Posted April 1, 2008 Share Posted April 1, 2008 Crikey Janty. We've only ever seen one bird of Prey around here but I'm not sure what it was. Hope your girlies are ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted April 1, 2008 Author Share Posted April 1, 2008 TBH the hens couldn't care less. It's me that's paranoid. Even the new RIRs are out free-ranging quite happily with the girls. They seem to prefer the big girls rather than the bantams that I had planned to house them with but that's another story. Will just let them snuggle down together tonight and see where they end up. I can envisage having nine hens in one cube at this rate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...