Can a hawk grab a duck and fly off?

[SolarDuck]

I bought this net and covered my entire yard with it to try and prevent hawk attacks.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VQXNXH...abc_FPNJKSC5SE79H160VTQT?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Definitely worth it to try something similar.

 

[TJAnonymous]

A hawk killed two of my Appleyards. My wife scared off the hawk while on top of the last duck killed. One of the Appleyards was somewhat of a outcast of the flock and kept to herself, the other was coming in for the night. (BTW the ducks free range during the day and put up at night).

I do have blackbirds around that scare off most of the hawks, but I have taken to firing my shotgun at dusk into the ground. Keep in mind it is illegal to kill any raptor. I hope to make a few whirligigs in the shape of crows, and paint them black and place them on top of the barn.

Also, I am hatching some Cayuga, which are dark, and some people say black/dark color birds also help with the hawk problem.

Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

I thought you are allowed to kill a hawk (or an eagle) if it is attacking your livestock? I've had frequent hawks coming around my property in the past month. If I see them, I run outside with my .22 and shoot into the air to scare them away. I'm technically in the city limits, even though my street is literally the last street on the edge of the limits. I could get into a lot of trouble for shooting off my .22.... I don't point it anywhere where there are houses or might be people or animals, but still.... I have also been setting off firecrackers which work well too. My only issue with the firecrackers is that they leave a 1/2 inch stem on the ground and I'm afraid my chickens will find it and eat it. They are hard to find sometimes because when that firecracker explodes, it flings the stem quite a distance away. But the firecrackers make the hawks nervous so they leave immediately....

 

[SolarDuck]

I thought you are allowed to kill a hawk (or an eagle) if it is attacking your livestock?

No. It is illegal they are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. If you kill one you will have a hefty fine.

 

[3bird]

We had a silver Appleyard attacked by a raptor. She survived (miraculously), but providing some form of protection from aerial predators is a very good idea.

Here's Amelia's story. Thankfully she is doing great now!

 

[davez]

Do you have water that they can dive down into? A hawk made a pass at my bantam ducks and I was impressed that they just all went under water as the hawk flew by. That said - I have a ton of hawks in the area and they catch birds off of my bird feeder but have never gotten a duck and mine are out all day long every day for many years.

 

[Quack head]

Do you have water that they can dive down into? A hawk made a pass at my bantam ducks and I was impressed that they just all went under water as the hawk flew by. That said - I have a ton of hawks in the area and they catch birds off of my bird feeder but have never gotten a duck and mine are out all day long every day for many years.

Both ducks were out of the water, one was on her way to the duck house for the night.