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Question
I believe a hawk is killing my chickens - it happens during the day. Breast is split open, occasional decapitation. Sometimes more than 1 at a time with only one looking eaten on. What can I do? Istarted with 35 chickens and am now down to 14. It seems so senseless when they are not even eaten. Thankyou, erika
Well, I don't know what your chicken yard or coop looks like, so I can't be specific. But if it is a hawk (it could be other predators - cat, dog, oppossum, whatever, I suppose), you need to cover the chicken coop with some sort of netting. I'm not convinced it is a hawk, though, if it kills more than one at a time and only eats on one. That behavior is more catlike. But of course, I don't really know. Try putting a mammal trap out with meat in it and see if you catch anything.
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Answers by Expert:
Roger Lederer
Expertise
Any and all about WILD birds - the science of ornithology. Information about birdwatching, ecology, conservation, migration, behavior, banding, rehabilitation, feeding, songs, binoculars, identification, and careers in ornithology. No questions about pet or caged birds, please.
Experience
Have a PhD and over forty years as a professional ornithologist - research, teaching, author, speaker, webmaster of Ornithology.com . Have written thirty scientific papers, three bird field guides, a textbook in ecology and two recent books entitled "Amazing Birds" and "Birds of New England". Have traveled to over 90 countries watching birds.
Education/Credentials
PhD in Zoology/Ornithology; Emeritus Professor of Biological Sciences; former Dean of the College of Natural Sciences at California State University, Chico
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