Rural Gardening: Help identifying breeds II, 0 by Clare_CA

Clare_CA wrote:
Thanks so much, Claire:-) I think you're right about the chicks learning to hide. They did get quite a fright when the hawk returned the other day. We did make them a small area with overhead protection in the corner, but now that you mention it, I will make them a more enclosed hut while they are in that temporary area. The run and hut should be done in a few more days, and then they can transition to that area. Here's the chicken run that we are building below:

Thanks, Mevnmart. Yeah, I was in love with them all after Day 1. It made me very sad to lose her. I am very sorry that I didn't protect her better, but now I know that I must cover their run. I belong to a chicken forum: http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/index.php and when I lost my Anabelle, I went to that forum and did a search for hawk and read all sorts of terrible hawk stories about hawks snatching baby chicks or killing big ones on the ground and eating them right there. I think wire or netting is recommended over the top. I don't think string will deter a hungry hawk. Racoons can also climb fences and get in there and cause massive death once they are in. I've heard of them reaching in through chicken wire to grab a chicken as well and eat the head or feet. Someone said that they can lure the curious chicks over with a cooing sound. It's too bad these cuties have so many predators!