Bigger Birds.....

[Ovidia17]

This morning I took out our chicks, and ducklings to let them enjoy the sunshine while I cleaned their cages. We were out there for a good 2 hours (I wasn't cleaning that long just enjoying the sun) and I noticed a buzzard flying over a couple times but he finally went on his own way. As I'm putting everybody up I hear the dreaded sound no chicken owner wants to hear....a hawk. This is the second time I've spotted him but only the first time he's made his presence known. Our birds are too young to be outside all the time right now but I know Mr. Hawk isn't going away, and here in my state it is very much illegal to kill them so I need help....what can I do to keep them all safe. I don't want them to be locked up for 24 hours every day....

 

[cstronks]

A few options. Hawks are federally protected, so it is illegal to kill them anywhere. You can invest in netting to cover up most of your yard and prevent birds of prey from coming down and attacking birds. You can also plant some trees and a variety of cover in order to ruin the visibility of the birds. My yard has a ton of trees, and although they can see the chickens at times, they can rarely get a clean shot down at them. I also have an enclosed run so my chickens always have a way of being outside.

 

[shmccarthy]

X2 ^

Make sure your run is covered , and if you free range, your birds have plenty of hiding spots in case a hawk flies over. A good* rooster will always have an eye on the sky and alarm when a large bird flies over. I have been outside multiple times when a hawk flies over, my rooster made a very distinct sound and all the hens were hiding under bushes and in trees.