Coopers Hawk Question

[McChooky]

To many trees hawks sit in them and wait... Ive had better luck living near fields with no trees around then I do now with to many trees.

Are your chickens are too young to recognize danger and hide?
Mine run to the coop and sound alerts

 

[5Australorpasaures]

Are your chickens are too young to recognize danger and hide?
Mine run to the coop and sound alerts

Ours recognize the silhouette of raptors and tuck under scrub growth and start squawking. Hawks seem to like to make a dive bomb strafing hit in the open.

 

[Poultrybonkers]

Are your chickens are too young to recognize danger and hide?
Mine run to the coop and sound alerts

Nope all the ones that died where over the age of 4

 

[McChooky]

Nope all the ones that died where over the age of 4

After my 4 yr old hens were attacked last yr they haven't left the run or free ranged since.The 2 yr olds lost 2 of their flock mates last spring and have stuck closer to the run ever since

 

[Crystalcatch]

We currently have two cooper hawks swarming the yard. They’ve been here for two days seemingly looking to build a nest. Or chickens to eat. We are surrounded by large pine trees and the chickens have a fully enclosed run. I’m guessing they won’t get much free range time while the hawks are around. Any advice on how to encourage the hawks to nest elsewhere?

 

[Bawkbok]

I don't know of any way to deter hawks; they're pretty determined and just trying to do their thing. No free range time unless it is completely observed by you or someone present should danger ensue. If you have a large dog, they can sometimes be a deterrent, ours is. Hawks and vultures fly low over head here but when they see the large dog running toward them looking up and barking, they leave the area.

 

[Jessd0911]

I completely understand! I've had an eagle come down less than 50' from me going after my barred rock. I was IN the pen refilling waterers while they were OUT free ranging. I was crouched down at the back of the pen where the blackberries would have hid me from his sight so he may not have seen me. As I stood up the eagle was just coming down to snatch Bella, his talons extended. For a brief second I thought it was my rooster and was shocked at how big he looked....then it hit me. I screamed and turned the hose toward it. The eagle left as Bella rushed under the blackberry bushes. I ran around calling them all in and locked them up. They didn't get much free range for a while after that. I just feel horrible keeping them in, because they are so happy foraging in the grass, under the cedar trees, in the compost pile, and dirt bathing in the loose dirt under the old pine tree.

This happened to me this week. I was 10 ft away and it was terrifying. Never saw it coming. We love our free range time so I’m so sad this happened and not sure how to feel comfortable moving forward.

 

[McChooky]

After my 4 yr old hens were attacked last yr they haven't left the run or free ranged since.The 2 yr olds lost 2 of their flock mates last spring and have stuck closer to the run ever since

Update:They're free ranging again surprisingly.

 

[16 and me]

This happened to me this week. I was 10 ft away and it was terrifying. Never saw it coming. We love our free range time so I’m so sad this happened and not sure how to feel comfortable moving forward.

Do you have a rooster? I can't recall where mine was at that time, probably with the larger group further away. My roo died, an now I have a pretty decent cockerel (he's about 10 months old). When he gives the alert I immediately assess the threat and where my birds all are.

 

[McChooky]

Are your chickens are too young to recognize danger and hide?
Mine run to the coop and sound alerts

Use a loud speaker to play distress sounds of aerial predators and birds being attacked They won't want to nest there any longer.