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- #11
- Feb 24, 2014
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Red-Tailed, I think. I haven't seen up real close, but that is the most common kind around here.What species of hawk?
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Red-Tailed, I think. I haven't seen up real close, but that is the most common kind around here.What species of hawk?
Strive for positive ID. Can you take a picture or setup a game camera?Red-Tailed, I think. I haven't seen up real close, but that is the most common kind around here.
Okay, either Red-Tailed or Red-Shouldered. Is it all that useful to know what kind of hawk it is?Strive for positive ID. Can you take a picture or setup a game camera?
Absolutely. Red-shouldered Hawks very seldom go after chickens, they target smaller prey. Here they dust bath very close to my birds each winter. Coopers Hawks, which typically target smaller chickens, are easy to repell with full adult standard sized chickens. Coopers not easy to defeat using cover patches alone.Okay, either Red-Tailed or Red-Shouldered. Is it all that useful to know what kind of hawk it is?
Those have actually been quite effective for us in the past. It does rather vary based on the individual hawk you're dealing with. This current one seems unimpressed so far.Scare crows, CDs, mirrors, tin-foil, fake birds - all humbug!
I've heard that - but I've also heard that they occasionally take it into their heads to murder young chicks. Mine might be old enough to avoid that, though.Try to attract crows or ravens! They will harass the birds of prey away!
Well, these are young, small chickens. And it's definitely not a Coopers.Absolutely. Red-shouldered Hawks very seldom go after chickens, they target smaller prey. Here they dust bath very close to my birds each winter. Coopers Hawks, which typically target smaller chickens, are easy to repell with full adult standard sized chickens. Coopers not easy to defeat using cover patches alone.
Chicken tractor approach might be a good compromise giving some free-range benefits with reduced risk.
You are correct: Crows will attack, kill and eat young birds. I've had my ducklings secured in a chicken cube until they were large enough to be outside.Those have actually been quite effective for us in the past. It does rather vary based on the individual hawk you're dealing with. This current one seems unimpressed so far.
I've heard that - but I've also heard that they occasionally take it into their heads to murder young chicks. Mine might be old enough to avoid that, though.
Well, these are young, small chickens. And it's definitely not a Coopers.
I've wanted a chicken tractor for ages... However, our land and infrastructure are currently not set up for it, and we lack the requisite workforce for such a change at the present time. Hoping to get that going in the spring, actually.