First off, whoever joked about hawks being "yummy"? They are protected by Federal law, so you cannot kill them. You can't shoot them if they are "killing your livestock". CD mobiles are excellent deterrents; if you put them close to where your chickens would run for cover, that works well too, and it's a great use for old cd's or dvd's.
You can apply for a permit to use bird bombs, which are designed to frighten birds , and those work well, too, not only for hawks but other predators also. We just only use those when we have a significant problem; not necessarily just an occasional sighting unless we can tell the hawks are stalking the flock. You don't have to shoot AT the hawks to use those; just shooting them into the air works great.
I also sometimes walk around with a pair of pan lids, which make a hideous noise as far as raptors are concerned, and they flash too, which is a good predator deterrent. Once in a great while I will set off some Black Cat fireworks, if I think my flock is being stalked by something.
Just walking around, talking, making unusual noises at unusual times, even talk radio, all help with hawk and all predator problems.
The main thing is to be inventive and to find several ways to use to deter predators, hawks included, so that they are never sure what is going on, and they don't have an opportunity to get used to anything.
Make sure your flock has plenty of cover.
Roosters are very good at watching for predators, and warning the flock; most will also sacrifice themselves to give the hens a chance to get away.
Good luck!
You can apply for a permit to use bird bombs, which are designed to frighten birds , and those work well, too, not only for hawks but other predators also. We just only use those when we have a significant problem; not necessarily just an occasional sighting unless we can tell the hawks are stalking the flock. You don't have to shoot AT the hawks to use those; just shooting them into the air works great.
I also sometimes walk around with a pair of pan lids, which make a hideous noise as far as raptors are concerned, and they flash too, which is a good predator deterrent. Once in a great while I will set off some Black Cat fireworks, if I think my flock is being stalked by something.
Just walking around, talking, making unusual noises at unusual times, even talk radio, all help with hawk and all predator problems.
The main thing is to be inventive and to find several ways to use to deter predators, hawks included, so that they are never sure what is going on, and they don't have an opportunity to get used to anything.
Make sure your flock has plenty of cover.
Roosters are very good at watching for predators, and warning the flock; most will also sacrifice themselves to give the hens a chance to get away.
Good luck!
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