Chickens Beware - new kid on the block

[scootr2d]

After cuttin woodlot all day , was relaxin on back deck with Better half lookin out over Goat Herd, when in low flew a very silent visitor. So low , so silent, and so fast in fact it spooked the herd, and startled both of us. First one I've seen round here. Hope it doesn't take up residence nearby or Wife's Chicken's days are numbered.
Hopefully the coop stays on High alert over next few days.

We are use to a Red tailed or coopers laying over or even occasional owl, but they usually move on .. We never saw this before so I snapped a pic and we consulted a few books we had round the house. I believe it to be a Sharp Shinned Hawk. Very cool lookin hunter.

 

[dave1949]

Nice pic. Hope that hawk moves on soon. Our dog has a tic for birds. He will bark at any bird flying over, crows, hawks, turkey vultures, robins, etc. Been on sky alert since he was a young pup. Don't know how one could train a dog to do that, but it could be useful.
Dave.

 

[czechsonofagun]

Three out of our four dogs do the same; blue heron, turkey buzzard or hawk - they run across the yard barking their heads off.

 

[dave1949]

Three out of our four dogs do the same; blue heron, turkey buzzard or hawk - they run across the yard barking their heads off.

This is the first dog I've had that does it. Same thing, barking runing until the fence stops him. Can't stand a mourning dove sitting on the electric wires either. Drives him nuts. He has made peace with the phoebe's that nest under the eaves of his shed however. One of the times he went on 'tour' for several hours it started with him chasing a crow that was flying over. That was before the fence.

Dave.

 

[scootr2d]

My old Gal Tessa ( Canaan breed) is very protective of our Chickens , Pigs , Goats, and cats etc. She even lets the chickens eat out of her bowl while she is eating. I have a pick somewhere of her sharing her meal with one of the chickens (it's an everyday occurrence) , if I find it I'll post.

She has always been this way , once a creature imprints on her as belonging to our family unit , she is protective of their well being.

She also can make the distinction, if a feral cat of wandering dog , or chipmunk Fox or squirrel, etc .. comes onto the property and they are not hers - she goes for them to defend her home and buddies.

Canaans use to follow Bedouins in the desert and though mostly wild for those that became somewhat domesticated would protect the nomadic tribes flocks or Herds. They have also been used as seeing eye dogs in the middle east because they are indigenous to the land and can tolerate heat better than other imported breeds.

Darnedest thing I ever saw.