Every winter my chickens go from free changed chickens to not so free ranged. Well, they have a nice sized run and coop to give them plenty of room to move around. They have lots of dirt to pick and scratch at but not allowed to roam the backyard freely. I still prefer to keep my chickens free range but I’ve learned that it isn’t always possible. I find time to allow them supervised yard time throughout the winter season but that can still be dangerous for them. During the winter wild animals find it hard to find food to eat. All spring and summer long they’ve left them alone choosing rather to feast on all the rabbits, snakes, and other critters found near the pond close by. As winter approaches many of these critters begin to lessen and find warm places to settle in. All the while my chickens continue to cluck around my backyard taunting them with their plumb bodies.

As winter approaches I know that I should prepare the coop and chickens for the cold days ahead, but I’m never ready to have them all cooped up. Today I learned what happens if I don’t.

While going about my day I hear a commotion so loud that the banging against the house startles me. Scuffling and loud scampering of what seems to be my chickens sets me off running towards it. The altercation is so wild that I can almost hear feathers flying into the air. I run outside terrified for my chickens. As I’m always listening for my chickens, I’ve realized that they have been attacked by something. I run through my head what could be attacking them all the while hoping they are alright.

This would not be the first time this has happened. I’ve chased of cats, and opossums, and even eagles. As I get my first glimpse of what has happened, I simply stand there in horror. All I could muster was a gasp. Feathers are still floating in the air, slowly finding their way to the ground in an eerie silence. I look around and all I can see is Fluffy limping her way towards safety. Not another single chicken is in sight. Have they taken them all? Have any of them survived? Will Fluffy be ok? Finally, I was able to move and head towards her. That’s when I see she had been running not only to safety but to the other hens. We take count, and all seem to be there. One, two, three, four, five. They had found refuge behind the A/C unit but Fluffy was either to slow or could not see the danger heading her way. My guess is that the fluffy feathers that cover her face also covered her eyes enough that she didn’t see it coming. Lucky for her she was near a fence. I believe that as the hawk swooped down to get her it crashed into the fence that was right behind her. We found specks of blood but not one hen had a noticeable injury. No blood dripping from their bodies. Not one drenched feather. All that remained was a pile of feathers scattered about and four hawks still circling very close by. As one dared to come right over our heads, I shook my angry fist at it as a warning the hawk would hopeful heed. We got lucky this time. My guess, this will always be a problem. Not just from wild life but from neighborhood cats, dogs, and anything that eats chickens. Which by the way is everyone!

So, if there is anything I’ve learned to day is that I shouldn’t procrastinate the winter preparations. Although I prefer to keep my chickens free ranged, I should keep them safe by not letting them free range unsupervised when the wild things run free.