Hawk Attack on the Homestead | How to Keep Chickens and Ducks Safe

Death on the Homestead is always hard. There are so many things to think about keeping animals alive. We were so excited to get the ducks outs of the brooder and out on the grass. It has been years since we had to worry about hawks. I think the fact the our chickens are in a run with trees, they have a coop to run to find shelter, they have roosters around to protect, and other bigger animal like goats around them has helped with the hawk attacks.
The four 5 week old ducklings were in the enclosed garden. I put a little dog house out there for them to run to but the hawk swooped down so fast holding the ducklings body against the fence and piercing through his chest; it was too late by the time we got to the duckling. The hawk killed our duck.
There are many ways to prevent hawk attacks. Hawks do not like to have to swoop down and in between trees to catch their prey. They also do not like other bigger animals and humans moving around the animals they are preying upon. It would also be beneficial to have little areas of shelter for the ducklings or chickens to escape to. Many have also found bird netting to work to keep hawks from getting to the hens.

[@heatherholmes5908]

So sad! 😭

[@jennifergaskill4293]

Poor little guy!