Can a muscovy kill a hawk?

[chickensioux]

Luckily, I was looking out the window when I saw the hawk swoop by. I ran out and he and one of my muscovies was tumbling around on the ground. The whole incident lasted less than 10 seconds probably because I was running toward them and the hawk flew off. Puddles was not injured at all but what if I hadn't been there? Would the hawk have been able to kill her or vice versa?

 

[MrsPinkKitty]

I think they can....I had a muscovy kill a alpha rooster i had . This rooster was mean as a rattle snake but muscovys have strong beaks that can hold on to what the want with very strong legs that can hook there claws into just about anyhting.claws being much sharper than a chicken spur. I think the ability to grasp there attacker with there beaks is what makes them lethal . Also if your muscovy is anthing like mine they have alittle temper to em

 

[desertdarlene]

I think muscovies can give some hawks a good thrashing. I know that some mother ducks will jump up and attack hawks or seagulls that are trying to get their ducklings. It just depends on how the hawks or falcons attack, I think.

 

[al6517]

Yes a Hawk can & will Kill a duck, any duck. The hawk is just going to wait until it can get another shot at it and catch the duck with it's guard down, then it's gonna be too late. You free range folks need to be a little more careful, you know an enclosed run isn't all that bad

, at least you won't have to worry about dead birds all the time. I will say that this Hawk and any others will not give up and may bring a buddy with him next time. Good luck.

AL

 

[Captain Carrot]

I don't know about hawks, but one of my broody ducks gave my dog (Staffordshire terrier) an ass whipping. Another got carried off by a fox, escaped and flew back without a mark on her. True right about the claws, I've got a 6inch scar on my arm from one of those claws. They're hard as nails birds

 

[Bleenie]

I think my Chocolate drake could definitley kill a hawk, that crap head is MEAN if you're making him do something he doesn't wanna! I also think my girls could defend themselves if a hawk attacked but I dunno about killing one, although their bills are Very strong considering their size, imagine if they got the hawk in the eye with the end of their bill? OUCH.

the hawks never bothered with mine though, the girls are the same size, if not bigger than our hawks here.

 

[1duckychick]

The thing about defending against a hawk attack is positioning. When a hawk catches the prey it swoops and grabs from behind. If it's claws are dug in well enough then the duck doesn't stand a chance no matter how good a fighter - it can't fight off something behind it. Your's was lucky the thing went toe-to-toe this time!

 

[chickensioux]

I can't wait to move. Our house is up for sale. All of our birds, big and small ducks and chickens will be totally enclosed.

 

[ChickieBooBoo]

Quote:
All my birds free-range, we loose a few every once and awhile, not a lot. I would rather let them free-range then lock them up in a muddy pen with no grass

 

[aduckstolemyheart]

I keep hearing different things, but I thought a hawk could not carry away full grown, heavy birds? I can see maybe having to worry about calls, or other small ducks, and ducklings under a certain age... but from what I hear the bigger birds are a lot safer?

We have hawks, especially during the winter, but none of them has attempted to grab one of my ducks. Most of them don't even look at my ducks twice, but some of the braver ones will think about. They will sit on a branch, and watch them, but in the end, they don't even try.

Has anyone had a hawk grab a full size heavy bird?

Either way, I still think free ranging is the way to go. I tried keeping my drake penned for the first few weeks, and he was miserable, and grouchy. Besides, they get so much more of a complete, natural diet; Being able to forage, eat greens and slugs, and get all the grit they need.

Besides, my mosquito and slug population is sooooo much lower having free ranging ducks.