I live in the city where you would not think hawks would reside. For the first 8 years that I raised a small flock, I never lost one to a hawk or even saw a hawk. For some reason, the last 2 years, we have been overwhelmed with hawks. I used to let my flock free-range and at night they would go into their coop. I never closed the door, because I felt they were safe at night in my fenced in back yard. Then we lost a few to possums, yes, possums in the city . So now, I have to secure them at night. I have been outside with my flock when a hawk would make a nose-dive at one of them, right next to me ! They have absolutely no fear of humans. I have lost 4 to hawks and it is heart-wrenching. I kept reading that you can't free range with a hawk in the area and that is true. I now have to keep them penned up at all times unless I am certain that I can be with them. I hate it for them because they love the yard so much. I had to decide what was best. The heartache of losing a beloved pet to such a horrifying death, or the peace of mind knowing they were being protected and able to live witout the fear of another attack. I read all I could about trying to get rid of hawks, but once they know there is an easy, potential meal, you don't wait for them to move on. They don't move on. Every morning on my way to open my coop & feed my babies, I hear the sound of a hawks piercing cry, circling, waiting, hoping I will let my guard down and let my chickens out to roam. It is a hard decision, especially on pretty days. We seem to be overpopulated with hawks. I've tired hanging CD's & shiny objects from trees...I even have a large plastic owl sitting high on our grape vine. I went out one day to find a red tail hawk sitting on his head. So the old theory that keeps hawks away is not true. They are relentless ! and protected.
