Are certain breeds less susceptible to hawk attack?

[shandiane78]

I lost my first chicken to a hawk a couple days ago, which got me thinking, it will be back, and also wondering if I shouldn't restock my flock with more predator resistant birds. At first I thought heavier breeds would help, but the hawk didn't take this hen away. It killed her on the ground, ate part of the neck, then left. (She was a big fat GLW.) Would it help to get some game bird blood into my flock? Would there a type of rooster that would protect the flock from a hawk? I have a rooster right now, but he's a big pansy, and not quite mature. He's a Splash Ameraucana, and is at the very bottom of the pecking order, so I don't see him being much help where predators are concerned!

 

[dmiravalle]

I found white's in anything get picked off the fastest up here. Especially white cats. Gross I know, but true.

 

[centrarchid]

Breed can be a factor. Larger size with greater agility helps. Avoid breeds that are small (bantams) or have excessive or abnormal (silkies / polish) feather developement that compromise flying ability or vision. Birds need to detect hawk and get to cover fast. Flight ability may simply involve using wings to accelerate faster and turn sharper. Best genetics in respect to defensive rooster will be a game or game hybrid.

Do not forget about providing cover. Best option for bird is getting somewhere that denies hawk advantage of flight. Having that motivated rooster or two can be a powerful reason for a hawk to look elsewhere.

 

[BooBear]

A safe alternative to free range is using chicken tractors. These allow them to forage without danger of hawk attacks. Every other day or so just move the tractor to a new spot.

 

[centrarchid]

Quote:
I am cheating. Crossing American game with doms. Will have barring on bird with good survival instincts.

 

[highcountrychickens]

Quote:
My chickens are Federally protected. Some other brands I shoot include Remington and Winchester.

Whatever you brandish, birds of prey are protected under the federal migratory species act. Like them or not, shooting one is a federal offense. It really is ill-advised to recommend this as a solution to anyone, 'lest they take you seriuosly

. I'd suggest putting netting over your run or yard, or keeping them in a tractor... Or, to answer the OPs post, if you're looking for a breed less susceptible to predation, raptor predation especially, try Jersey Giants. A hawk generally won't attack anything it can't carry, so bigger is better. I haven't lost a bird in 2 years from hawks or foxes since switching breeds (they wreaked havoc on my Columbian Wyandottes... poor babies)

So sorry you lost a bird, Wild Trapper

 

[shandiane78]

Hmm, well I have one white chicken, and two splash, but this hawk went after the GLW. In fact, the hawk attacked her and failed, then came back the next day and got her. Went after the very same hen twice! The first time though, the hen was on snow, so must have been very easy to spot. I was kind of surprised that it targeted the same hen the next day. On that day the snow was mostly gone.

 

[chickortreat]

Chickens whose owners are adept with a shotgun are the safest. Aside from that, it would seem that those whose colors blended more with their surroundings would be less noticeable from high up.

 

[Higins00]

I have had several chickens picked off by hawks, all different breeds, usually three a year. It wasn't until I got my roo that I have been free of kills. He is very good, soon as he sees something in the air he calls the grils and they go running for cover.

 

[shandiane78]

Sounds like I need a good roo! Mine is no good right now, don't know if he will be in the future.

I live within city limits, so shotgun is not an option. Besides that, hawks are federally protected. However, I do own an air rifle...I'm not sure I could restrain myself if I saw it stalking my flock or chowing down on another one of my chickens.