hawks and chickens

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bosoxbratt

bosoxbratt

Songster
10 Years
Nov 5, 2009
105
2
134
Good morning all :)
Do you know if hawks will bother the bigger breeds of chickens? we have comets,barred rocks new jersey giants and red sexlinks? the reason I am asking is we have been free ranging and I know we have a couple of hawks across the field from us ..have not seen them above out house just across from it but want to make sure that my chickens don't become their lunch any info would be appreciated TY
 
A Red Tailed Hawk killed two of my Jersey Giant hens. Flew down and snapped their necks, then started to eat them.

I was talking to another chicken owner who had a big problem with Eagles. He had a clever and cheap solution, he put shelters in his chicken roaming area, several of them and no more problems.
He used two long shipping pallets, placed like a A frame. At each end he nailed a couple of boards so the ends were not so open but the chickens could still scoot under and get inside. Good for shade too.

It might work against Hawks too.
 
A Cooper's hawk got one of my black sex links....got in through a hole in the netting over their run and bit through her spinal cord on the neck. Size doesn not appear to be a deterrant to them.
 
A bird of Prey, need more be said
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Put a top over them, unless you want to feed the hawk
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I once say a video on utube of a golden eagle that scooped a lamb off a mountain face?

Enough said??????

Blessings,
Jeremy
 
I like the idea of providing safety areas for the chickens! Although some of the smaller hawks are quite versatile at getting inside some pens.
 
Once a Red Tailed Hawk finds a unprotected flock of chickens, it will take them out one by one until all you have left is feathers. Best to let them free range when you can watch over them and keep them in a covered pen when you can't.
 
will hawks leave the chickens alone with people out in the yard too does anyone know?
 
Quote:
Nope. I've read account here of people who've been out with their chickens and had hawks swoop down. It depends how hungry the hawk is. Free ranging has benefits, but it also has risks.

We free range in our back yard when we're out there, but we keep a watchful eye out for hawks just as our chickens do. Sometimes we spot a hawk in the distance before they do, and we hustle them to safety. Other times, they spot danger first.

One thing I've realized: if you hear a bunch of blue jays or crows making a ruckus, look out. Often they're giving the signal that there's a raptor in the area.
 
I was squatting down hand feeding my girls some romaine when all of a sudden Mr. Roo sounded the alarm and the girls scattered under their elevated run. A young red tailed hawk glided right at nose level about 5 ft from me into the trees. I couldn't believe it.

But I have to say that as long as they are free ranging in an area that has hiding spots and trees, they should be fine. I actually don't worry about the hawks at all...I have a serious red fox problem!!

good luck!
 

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