Hawk - bought to lose my patience

[cadman68]

I have done all the things i can think of, short of totally enclosing the pen, to stop this hawk from getting my chicks but to no avail. he has already got 4 of them and i am about to lose my patience and shoot him. I know it is not advised but i am to the point that i really don't care. Guess i just needed to rant a little (as i load my shotgun) so thanks everyone for being here to listen to my frustrations.

 

[DuckLady]

I am thinking it is time to enclose your pen.

 

[McGoo]

Could you keep your chicks in a completely enclosed area until they're bigger and less tempting for a mid-day snack for the hawk?
I've got hawks all around, but my chickens are older and run for cover or just stay in the woods.

 

[herechickchick]

If it is the same one over and over, SHOOT HIM!

 

[eggchel]

http://www.cutlersupply.com/store/page.topright.html

If you cant afford to put this heavy netting over your pen, then go to Home Depot/Lowes/Menards/Ace and buy some bird netting. It is meant to be used over fruit trees but will work against flying predators in a pinch.

Chel

 

[debashan]

Is it legal to shoot any birds of prey?

 

[SpottedCrow]

Nope.
It'll get you a fast ticket to the hoosegow...

 

[panner123]

If you have a small area to cover and don't want a net, get one of those thousand yard plus spools of fishing line from K-Mart. Criss cross the line over the area and put little pieces of material on it. This worked for the a friends little girl. It was her brother that came up with the idea. He was tried of seeing his sister crying over a lost chick.

 

[jeaucamom]

Wow panner, wish I had known that 2 days ago. It is really expensive to try and enclose an area. But after what we went through with the hawk literally crawling under a bush to get to my hens, I don't care if it takes Fort Know to keep em safe. But great idea about the fishing line!!

 

[hoosierhen]

I am going to fence a small area for my chicks this weekend. I like the fishing line idea, especially since the area will be temporary. (A bigger area will be coming as soon as I get a little time ) My daughter and I took some chicks out today (They are 7 weeks old) to enjoy the weather and they loved it!