Chickens froze in their tracks!!!!

[chickenjen]

Oh! What smart chickens you have! I would have had tears of laughter to see them freeze like that! But wow! That is SO smart of them!

We had problems with hawks taking ours so we finally just built them a big run that is totally closed in.

Yeah, I would not be shooting a hawk being the federal raptor laws. Maybe fireworks next time? Just better safe than sorry. But I do know people who will shoot them for taking their chickens. We had a mating pair living near us and someone shot one of them for taking the chickens. We were saddened. It was cool to watch the duo together. I hope the other one that survived is not sad.

 

[Shelly_WNC]

that is great instincts your chickens have!

 

[WalkingWolf]

Use a co2 powered air soft, they are safe unless shot in the eye, or ear. The bright colored bb will catch the hawks eye and they leave, you don't even have to get close. Also a good item to have on hand is a hand held fog horn from a boaters supply. I use both and some times just waving your hands will get them to fly away, they recognize us as predators. But be very careful if a hawk is on a dive, they have mistaken hair for prey, and can cause serious damage to the scalp.

 

[Dixiedoodle]

I have had hawks visit several times -floating on air, perched in a large tree at the egg of my property and have noticed that the crows make such a huge ruckus, flying at the hawk, screaming, until the hawk is tired of it and flies away--the crows all flock after him., still scream, it looks like they are pecking the hawk... Is that possible? and IF they don't like crows--will a crow call help to deter them???

When the hawks and crows fly away, my chickens come out from under the bushes, equipment trailer and chairs and run as fast as possible to the coop...

 

[WalkingWolf]

Quote:
The crows are trying to protect their nest and young, they will also harass to steal the hawks prey. Yes they will peck hawks in mid air, and I have seen one hawk tumble as if it was knocked unconscious or dead by them. Not sure about the call, crow calls send my birds into hiding, I think they take it as a warning.

 

[RedfogsFlock]

Quote:
When the hawks come near our property our girls will run up under something and sit there making little velociraptor noises! Sometimes they can see the hawks before we even do! They are smart!

 

[lex381]

when ever a bird (like a crow or somethin like that size) flys overhead one will squawk and they will freeze up. once they relieze its nothin they will go back on pecking! chickens are so smart! much smarter than most people give them credit for.

 

[dwegg]

Yes my girls do that 'freeze' thing when the hawks are in the trees near by...at first I didn't know what had happened but then I saw the hawk. I always keep a close eye on my girls when they are out and this has happened a couple of times.
My 'Banana' who is queen of the flock sounds this really low growl and everyone freezes...it's wild!

Last time this happened I was digging with them in the garden for worms...Banana growled and everyone froze so I immediately looked around in the trees and sure enough there were TWO huge hawks watching us. I threw a rock at the hawks and yelled.."RUN TO THE COOP!" (like they can understand me!) and I ran into the coop and all my girls followed and I locked them away for the afternoon.

I felt a bit foolish for this I must admit...

 

[lauriruth]

yep! i call it "ceramic chicken yard art". amazing, isnt' it?