Aerial predators

[Klatimer]

Hello again!
I want let my ducks free range, we will in the city but we have a lot of aerial predators like eagles and cooper hawks. I have seen cooper hawks destroy birds around here. Any suggestions?

 

[ChickyCh00k]

Unfortunately, there isn't really a way to truly free range AND not risk predation (aerial or otherwise). Some things can deter predators (people hang CDs, use decoys, and I've even heard of people using those inflatable floppy/wavy things that car dealerships use!). Giving the birds lots of places to hide is also helpful. Those things can work.... until they don't.

The only way to ensure protection from predators is to fence birds in and use overhead fencing or netting. Otherwise, you must have the mindset that in order to allow the birds to free range, the trade off is you will likely lose some to predation at some point.

 

[Chicken Heel]

I would not do it unless you are willing to accept the losses. Cooper Hawks are persistent and once they find an easy meal they will take every bird.

 

[Sosalty]

How big are your ducks? Are you around often? To some extent hawks won't go for anything bigger than they are. If you provide lots of shelters for your ducks to run to, you may only lose a few. Once the others see 1 of their own taken out, they'll learn to be remarkably wary. This may not be an acceptable option for you. We've kept 3 big goofy Muscovy hens on our pond, with island and shelters, near the house for a year. The back side is predator heavy. In the spring some 4 juvenile hawks circle above screaming. I've seen an owl dive at 'em. The trail cam and prints in the mud indicate a red fox visiting the shoreline now and then.

There was a duck lady across from a restaurant we regularly ate at. Occasionally I'd drop by to talk if I saw her outside. She'd keep 20-30 ducks on her 1-acre pond with trees along the bank. She suggested as long they weren't white; she'd only lose about 1 a year. Last fall she moved to Idaho (from Alabama) leaving her about 25 ducks on her pond. Her relatives in close by homes take care of her property but neglect the ducks. In the past 9 months we've observed the flock tick down to 2.

It's possibly doable, but it's either risk of some acceptable loss, or unacceptably high risk.

 

[Chicken Heel]

How big are your ducks? Are you around often? To some extent hawks won't go for anything bigger than they are. If you provide lots of shelters for your ducks to run to, you may only lose a few. Once the others see 1 of their own taken out, they'll learn to be remarkably wary. This may not be an acceptable option for you. We've kept 3 big goofy Muscovy hens on our pond, with island and shelters, near the house for a year. The back side is predator heavy. In the spring some 4 juvenile hawks circle above screaming. I've seen an owl dive at 'em. The trail cam and prints in the mud indicate a red fox visiting the shoreline now and then.

There was a duck lady across from a restaurant we regularly ate at. Occasionally I'd drop by to talk if I saw her outside. She'd keep 20-30 ducks on her 1-acre pond with trees along the bank. She suggested as long they weren't white; she'd only lose about 1 a year. Last fall she moved to Idaho (from Alabama) leaving her about 25 ducks on her pond. Her relatives in close by homes take care of her property but neglect the ducks. In the past 9 months we've observed the flock tick down to 2.

It's possibly doable, but it's either risk of some acceptable loss, or unacceptably high risk.

One caveat on the size of the prey versus hawk note, years ago I personally saw a small Sharp Shinned hawk rip the breast out of a hen twice its size. It sunk its talons into the hen's breast and proceeded to flip backwards until it tore it open.

 

[ChickyCh00k]

One caveat on the size of the prey versus hawk note, years ago I personally saw a small Sharp Shinned hawk rip the breast out of a hen twice its size. It sunk its talons into the hen's breast and proceeded to flip backwards until it tore it open.

Yes! We have small-ish hawks in our area as well. Last fall, a hawk attacked and killed one of my biggest, heaviest hens. We haven't let them "free range" since. In fact, we're in the process of building a 2400 sq.ft chicken yard that will be fully fenced in (including hawk netting overhead). I'm not going through that ordeal again!

 

[Klatimer]

One caveat on the size of the prey versus hawk note, years ago I personally saw a small Sharp Shinned hawk rip the breast out of a hen twice its size. It sunk its talons into the hen's breast and proceeded to flip backwards until it tore it open.

They are not that big the have some growing to do..

 

[Klatimer]

Yes! We have small-ish hawks in our area as well. Last fall, a hawk attacked and killed one of my biggest, heaviest hens. We haven't let them "free range" since. In fact, we're in the process of building a 2400 sq.ft chicken yard that will be fully fenced in (including hawk netting overhead). I'm not going through that ordeal again!

I have a murder of crows, which love when I’m outSide.. we have a good relationship but TONS of hawks and eagles

 

[Chicken Heel]

I have a murder of crows, which love when I’m outSide.. we have a good relationship but TONS of hawks and eagles

Here along the Central VA/NC border we are also blessed with tons of crows, hawks, bald eagles and owls. We also have multitudes of Black Buzzards which actually cause more problems with livestock than the others. They have been known to attack calves, lambs and goat kids, usually as their mothers are giving birth to them. I even had a very large one at the foot of my back steps last evening eating the cat's dry food.

 

[Sosalty]

I have a murder of crows, which love when I’m outSide.. we have a good relationship but TONS of hawks and eagles

Yep, all bets are off when there's eagles.