Chicken Hawk

[albswb]

It stalking my chickens what do I do?

 

[chicks are me]

a hawk once got one of my chicken her name was Susie Porker (not a meat bird just porky).
I've heard Niteguard is good but I haven't tried it. Our chickens are in a big fence with netting overtop.
I hope this helps!

 

[nbenevento]

Not a whole lot you can do. You can keep them in a covered pen but if they free range, they won't like that. Maybe try one of those fake owls?

 

[chfite]

I covered my run with strings about 6 inches apart. Brightly colored to attract the hawk's attention. I trust it won't fly into an area that won't allow a clear approach and exit.

My chickens forage during the day. There is plenty of cover nearby in most of the area. The crows are pretty quick to attack the hawks. The rooster stands watch and sounds the alarm. The dog watches the chickens.

There isn't much you can do.

Chris

 

[PeaChick C]

We have struggled with hawks for years.
Legally? You can hang CDs from fishing line so they spin in the wind. The reflections scare off hawks.

Grown guineas will watch for hawks and sound their buzzer-like alarm. Then everyone runs under cover. Worst part of this plan is then you have guineas! Which is a blessing and a curse.

The best solution we found was training our dog (blue healer-aussie shep mix) to chase off hawks and eagles.

 

[nbenevento]

Pea chick, does the CD thing seem to work at all? I have never lost a bird to a hawk but I have seen them eating chipmunks on my yard and all around the property. One of my flocks roam allof my 3 acres and a little in the neighbors and my younger flock stays very close the coop, but in the yard. I have thought about employing some hawk deterrents but it hasn't been a priority since I haven't lost any yet.

 

[PeaChick C]

The local DNR guy recommended it and we put some up. Like an owl decoy I think you'd have to move them every once in a while.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Grown guineas will watch for hawks and sound their buzzer-like alarm. Then everyone runs under cover. Worst part of this plan is then you have guineas! Which is a blessing and a curse.

Maybe they do and then maybe they don't.

Hawk, hen and guineas interact.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

The local DNR guy recommended it and we put some up. Like an owl decoy I think you'd have to move them every once in a while.

Don't put too much faith in what your local DNR guy recommended.

Have you ever heard the old saying "Eating crow?" Crows and hawks have a love hate relationship. Hawks love to eat crow and in return crows hate the hawks. That is why crows harass hawks when the crows are flocked up but no crow comes to this crows defense during the nesting season. Crows can lure hawks while the crows are nesting, but enough crows at the right time of year can make hunting difficult for hawks, but usually only if a human is present to hear the ruckus and do the crows' heavy fighting for them. The same thing goes for guineas and their alarm call.