So one of the goals, when you are building your chicken coop, is to build it to not only keep the chickens in, but more importantly, to keep the predators out. And to that end, I think we did remarkable well. (Well, I say “we” rather loosely. Actually, Jose and Ramon did an outstanding job.) But one key feature is to keep the gate closed. And we shut it religiously every evening. But today, while the chickens were out in the play yard, and the gate was open, our resident hawk swooped in. It was almost dusk outside. The hens made a bee-line into the house, but the hawk followed them right on through the gate! That must be one hungry hawk. Once inside the run area, the hens were able to flea through a small door into their house, but the hawk became disoriented and couldn’t find his way back out.
This is same hawk that I suspect has been the culprit in 4 missing chicks. But that has been over a month ago. I thought maybe the chicks had grown enough to discourage such hawk-like behaviour. I guess not! However, I felt like, even though I don’t need him snatching my hens, we had to help him get out of his predicament.
Ramon was able to catch him and bring him out for release. I had never seen a hawk like that up close and personal. He was magnificent. And very intimidating. Ramon gave him a little lift off and he flew off to a nearby tree, unharmed. And unfed.