These are free range one... Bantams .. Will they eat all of them.??? If so what can i do to stop it?? Thanks Maureen

-- Maureen (onemaurhunt@yahoo.com), September 07, 2001

Answers

s.s.s works every time. i lost about 40.

-- Bart (Dominickwb@dot.state.sc.us), September 07, 2001.

What is s.s.s.?

-- Rick#7 (rick7@postmark.net), September 07, 2001.

shoot, shovel,, shut up , , not real legal,, but thats why there is that built in part,, noones knows

-- stan (sopal@net-port.com), September 07, 2001.

You can put a post in the ground (make a high point). Put a trap on it. Then follow Bart's advice.

-- Tom S. (trdsshepard@yahoo.com), September 07, 2001.

Will a scarecrow do it..??????

-- maureen (onemaur@olg.com), September 07, 2001.

maureen, Hawks are protected by the Federal Goverment. Killing them will bring the wrath of Uncle Sam as well as the ATF, don't do it, it is not worth it. Why not keep the banties in until late afternoon? and them let them free range. They will not go as far and the change will confuse the hawks and they should go elsewhere for food.

-- Karen in Kansas (kansasgoats@iwon.com), September 07, 2001.

We had a hawk get one of our chickens. The next day or so we had placed a rooster in a dog crate in the chicken yard--getting ready for butchering--and the hawk came after that chicken. The neighbor saw him dive in and heard a thud and then the hawk flew away--rapidly 8-). We haven't had any problems since then with the hawk. I guess he was "stunned" to say the least. It sure bent the rooster out of shape for a while--he wasn't pleased by all the attention. Our difficulty with free ranging the chickens is the neighbors dog who got one of our smaller roosters and took it home for dinner! I wish you the best.

-- Dena Deweese (jedeweese@earthlink.net), September 07, 2001.

Actually we had the same trouble not to long ago. I didnt think i would have any ducks left. I leave one of my golden retriever out and u would be surprised how well she has protected the ducks and chickens. we went from 3 ducks to 40 ducks in 3 months. Because the hawks are protected the SSS is not your legal way to go. I also do the same thing at night to protect our poultry and water foul. We were not raising birds to keep the wildlife going. Maybe this winter we will actually get to taste the chickens. Actually the hawks and owls do not like confrontation. and if you no when they are coming around you can deter them. It really does work!!!! Good Luck!!!!

-- paul miller (millerclan@alltel.net), September 07, 2001.

Yes, the hawks will eat all of them!

Guard dogs, large breeds like German Shepards that have territorial protection instincts, work the best at protecting loose animals of all kinds without resorting to killing the predator animal. You can co-exist with Nature peacefully!!!

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), September 07, 2001.

it's very true. i've never had any problems whatsoever until my dog ran away or was shot during hunting season a few weeks ago. we don't know. he was retriever/cheasepeake mix. he was very territorial and we never had a problem. now that he is gone, i have lost 4 chickens and one guinea. get a dog!

-- gg (gloria@riverbendlodge.com), November 19, 2001.

I'm picking up some chicks tomorrow and I have a lot of worries about hawks taking them away. I have a VERY LARGE German Sheppard that I hope will take care of the potential problem. I also have goats so that may help too right?

-- Chris (vamangano@yahoo.com), December 28, 2001.