Close Call!!!!

[swdunn0926]

OK after work and fixing dinner and eatting, went out to turn my girls out and do some weeding of my flower beds. When all of a sudden my maran rooster (BIG BOY) yelled and everyone went running, I turned just in time to see the largest hawk I have ever seen. My young (8 week old) Blue Orpington and my 1 year old Buff Orpington hens, out at the corner of the yard by the split rail fence went under my honey suckle vines but as I turned in time to see the hawk he was just on my baby blue rooster as I yelled he turned and flew right at my head!! I swear I was 2 feet away from him and felt the flaps of his wings. I was shocked. I live in the city and have only had a few problems with opposiums to which I proudly display the bodies to the neighbors (they get into trash) after killing them! The hawk flew into my neighbors back yard landed on a pine limb until the resident squirrel went after him. He them flew off.
I cant believe it never had a problem with them before, but I promise I will be on the look out! My girls and rooster are my kids and I would hate for something to happen to them!

*After note* After posting what happened tonight and reading some of the post I want to clear up something--At no time in my prior post did I mention trying to harm or catch the bird was just stating how amazed I was to see one in the city. I was just sharing an expierence!

 

[Evilkitty162]

That was a close call!

I'm glad your chickens a OK.

 

[speckledhen]

This is why I like having my roosters! They are so much more vigilant than the hens are and will stand up to anything.

 

[skydivingchickenman]

You can try putting a tall single post out,because the hawks like to perch high and then put a leg trap on top of the post..Another thing I have heard but have not tried is getting a spool offishing line and get it into a big knotted mess then put it where they perch and they will get their talons caught up in it and then you have them!

 

[Attack Chicken]

Quote:
Most places it is illegal to harm or kill birds of prey. Especially using legtraps. Just my two cents.

 

[speckledhen]

*It is the responsibility of the person with the predator to determine the legalities of what they do and that person will take ultimate responsibility. BYC does not condone illegal acts.

That said, I do believe that Attack Chicken is correct. In my opinion, the best defense are deterrents, like CD's strung across pens to bounce and throw reflections, covered pens, evergreen trees and shrubs for cover, roosters to alarm and defend the flock, etc.

We have a very large hawk population here. I've seen redtails, peregrine falcons, sharp shinned hawks, and others I couldnt quite identify. Never have had a loss to one and I do credit my heavily wooded property with lots of cover and my roosters with that. Had them fly through and under my deck to go after one of my guineas, one dove, but hit the large satellite dish and almost killled himself, and numerous times one has swooped down on my girls, but the rooster pushed them into cover and stood out there as a challenge.​

 

[geosheets]

Quote:
Eagles, ospreys, hawks, falcons, kites, owls, vultures and all other native North American birds of prey are strictly protected by state and federal law as well as International Migratory Bird Treaty Act, to include a prohibition against the taking or possession of their parts such as feathers or talons. The only exceptions generally allowed for individuals to these prohibitions require permits from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Penalties for violations of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act can go up to $15,000 and 6 months imprisonment for common violations. The sale or barter of migratory birds is a felony with penalties up to $500,000 and 2 years imprisonment. Some raptors, such as the bald eagle, are also protected under the Endangered Species Act, and both the bald and golden eagles are also protected under the Eagle Act.

 

[Emzyyy]

Quote:
Eagles, ospreys, hawks, falcons, kites, owls, vultures and all other native North American birds of prey are strictly protected by state and federal law as well as International Migratory Bird Treaty Act, to include a prohibition against the taking or possession of their parts such as feathers or talons. The only exceptions generally allowed for individuals to these prohibitions require permits from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Penalties for violations of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act can go up to $15,000 and 6 months imprisonment for common violations. The sale or barter of migratory birds is a felony with penalties up to $500,000 and 2 years imprisonment. Some raptors, such as the bald eagle, are also protected under the Endangered Species Act, and both the bald and golden eagles are also protected under the Eagle Act.

Exactly and if the bird got away with this "trap" still tangled in s/he's taloons or feet they would be in trouble and not be able to hunt and starve to death.

 

[speckledhen]

Ok, let's not go off on a tangent with the OP's thread.

I'm so glad you did not lose any birds when that happened! That's one reason I'm nervous when I freerange any birds under about 12 weeks old or so. They are definitely small enough to be hawk bait!