[CT Birds] Red-tailed Hawk/Chicken

[Mike Widmer]

A red-tailed hawk successfully took down and killed one of our chickens this past Sunday.   In our 6+ years of raising chickens, this was a first - although we have seen them soaring over our pasture and sometimes perched nearby.  Beautiful bird with impressive wingspan - it promptly flew off screaming with its mate after being discovered.

We free range our chickens during the day and obviously have some concern about the hawks returning.  Does anyone have some insight into a red-tailed returning to a previously successful hunting site?  Are they territorial?

thanks.

Mike Widmer
Fairfield, CT.