Groovychook Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 I was just walking through my garden and startled a small bird of prey trying to lift off with a large pigeon it had just caught. Too small to be a buzzard I think (which we have in plentiful amounts around here) but didn't get a good enough look at it to identify it. It swooped down again a couple of minutes later, only to be chased away by one of my cats! It got me wondering if my chooks (when I finally get them!) are likely to be at risk from attack whilst free ranging. Has anybody had any experience of such a problem? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dinkychick Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 There is a sparrow hawk that chases the pigeons where i live... im not sure if they would chase a chicken tho...i always thought they like moving prey? Dont quote me on that lol. We also get kestrals but i havent seen one that near our house, i can hear them in the sky tho now and again. Id be more worried about the cats.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 Chickens are a good big bigger and heavier than wood pigeons, so unless you have passing sea-eagles I wouldn't have thought there was much risk.... I was worried about the same type of thing, but have never had any problems (had chickens for a year or so now). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nuggywoo Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 Sounds like a female sparrowhawk. I've got one close by and it's caught & killed a few doves where my beauties are. In fact I saw her plucking one on a wall with my beauties wandering about in the background A chicken is far too big for a sparrowhawk. ps Did you let the bird come back for her dinner? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted September 2, 2008 Author Share Posted September 2, 2008 Hmmm, yes - think I might have been over-reacting! ... The sparrow hawk didn't make a reappearance - well & truly scared off by my cat! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheik Posted September 4, 2008 Share Posted September 4, 2008 Thorne's don't let their chickens out to free-range until they are about 10 weeks old. Frank told me it was because even crows will attack them, let alone birds of prey! /\dam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
