bsmall2

Some birds might be fighers but these Silkies aren't. Even the big solid rooster just squawks with surprise and takes off as quick as any other bird when startled. Prune just happend to be out alone where she was visible. It probably makes her more vulnerable to big cats, and any big birds.. A falcon used to stop by so I did a search but I got the impression falcons don't go for things much bigger than pigeons. So it's just the chicks that are causes for worry. The same with crows. That's part of the reason my green curtain attempts stretch out over the rest of the yard too. Some of those strings were tied up over the yard to discourage crows and get my neighbor to relax. She worries about the birds more than I do. They work so hard and have so little time but were ready to tie their fishing line up around my yard. That got me moving quick with hemp string and some other fiber-based line... I'm hoping big turkeys will discourage cats.. I don't expect much to deter a decent-sized dog with hunting instincts. But there aren't many of them nearby.. I hear the little Japanese Chabo birds are fierce. I was reading that they are really Shamo birds with a recessive gene that makes their legs really short, but should verify that one day... It's hard to strike a balance though. It would be nice to have birds that can defend themselves, but it's nice that kids can hang out in the yard with the birds and not be frightened or threatened...