Any solution to hawks other than a chicken tractor?

[dacjohns]

Quote:
Please don't shoot a goshawk. Part of my job includes surveying for goshawks. Yes they are aggressive but they are really amazing birds. Falconers also like them.

Sharp shinned hawks prey on songbirds.

 

[sommrluv]

I'll come back tomorrow when I have a moment to reply to everyone, but I do have an extremely large covered run for them. The hawks ping up against the chicken wire and dive bomb the girls in their run.

They come close enough the dogs bark and chase them, and that I felt the need to pick up a tree branch to protect myself and could feel the air from their wings...I've called the county and self defense is allowed in my area. Apparently they've relocated them from a garden center near my home, unsuccessfully, but I doubt they wouldn't return, or rebreed. For being so close to commutable metropolitan area, I'm rural enough. We have an abundance of wildlife...mice, rabbits, voles, etc. My home is nearly 200 years old, but I'm in an area of huge building boom, so I think it's more a case of animals getting too used to humans.


I'll have to look more into the cds, shiny things, shelters...any websites or areas here that outline that?

 

[pigcoon]

Quote:
Please don't shoot a goshawk. Part of my job includes surveying for goshawks. Yes they are aggressive but they are really amazing birds. Falconers also like them.

Sharp shinned hawks prey on songbirds.

PLease know I don't really want to shoot it! I am trying to avoid violence. It's just the mama bear in me. You wouldn't believe how it looked to me to see it headed straight for my little daughter with it's large wingspan. It got within two feet of her because she was holding the chicken. This just doesn't seem like normal wildlife behavior!

I'm going to call Fish & Wildlife tomorrow and see if they have any other recommendations.

We have a pretty small coop because our design was based on them ranging just when we were home (not all the time). The hawk does not stay away even when we are outside watching them, as evidenced by his attack to my daughter.

 

[sommrluv]

Well, I understand your reaction! If I had a child I think I would feel the same way.

I was very surprised at the list I was given for the "hawks" in the area. Eagles, Raptors, etc...There are 20 different species!

I know driving a little ways out, I've seen the ones with the 4+ wing span, but not so close to the house. We had them out today with a couple overturned boxes and my DH ran some fencing AROUND an area so they would stay in.

They walked through the fencing. LOL. So much for that.


We re-establishing a bigger "chicken fort knox" run on the opposite side of their coop, and they will just have to be happy with that. I put some old snow fencing around the exterior so it's nice and shady and they have plenty of places to hide.

The more I thought about it today, I really don't think I want to hang any CDs anywhere!

 

[dacjohns]

Quote:
Please don't shoot a goshawk. Part of my job includes surveying for goshawks. Yes they are aggressive but they are really amazing birds. Falconers also like them.

Sharp shinned hawks prey on songbirds.

PLease know I don't really want to shoot it! I am trying to avoid violence. It's just the mama bear in me. You wouldn't believe how it looked to me to see it headed straight for my little daughter with it's large wingspan. It got within two feet of her because she was holding the chicken. This just doesn't seem like normal wildlife behavior!

I'm going to call Fish & Wildlife tomorrow and see if they have any other recommendations.

We have a pretty small coop because our design was based on them ranging just when we were home (not all the time). The hawk does not stay away even when we are outside watching them, as evidenced by his attack to my daughter.

If it was a goshawk it is normal behavior. You might have a nest close by but on the other hand the nesting and rearing season is over. Goshawks are ferocious hunters and are very territorial. Definitely check with fish and game about "control" of the bird.


For people in my line of work, wildlife, a goshawk fly by is exciting.

 

[NateinFL]

If the hawks are really that bad, chickens need to be kept covered at all times. I use a variety of deterrent methods and have only lost a baby or two in the past 2 years. Mostly its just good supervision, and keep them safe and locked up when you arent home to hear their cries for help. Blue jays are very good at letting you know when there's a hawk around they're the Police in the small bird world as my Grandma used to say, they're blue and they scold the other birds.

 

[sommrluv]

I'm hanging up my new birdfeeders today.

I got 50 pounds of black oil sunflower seeds. I'm sure my chickens won't mind any time I feel like sharing.

we have a 100 ish foot long, 8 foot high privet along the side of our house, it doesn't extend quite the way to where the chicken coop is, but finches and other birds hide in it often. I'm putting the birdfeeders and a couple houses there, so the birds have cover to hide too.