Cooper's Hawks and 1 acre

[Folly's place]

You need a covered run, and to lock your birds up for a week or three, until that hawk moves on. The good news about hawks is that they will kill one bird at a time, not your whole flock. BUT they will return, maybe every third day, and take another bird. Locking your birds in a safe place is the solution. Your dogs may not see the hawk as a problem at all. Mary

 

[marilyngurl22]

I didn't realize they were that crafty! To fly through a door!! Every third day coming back. Wow. I wonder how I can keep them in their run without complete netting. Everything we've tried so far hasn't worked for most of them. It's too hot in the coop to keep them in there. I'm in NC and have a fan and windows but even with the fan, windows, and ice packs they get too hot. They are about 6 months old and fairly large, my Easter Eggers are smaller than the BOs. I'm not sure what the dogs would do. they would likely run off the hawk but if the hawk injures the hen, I'm worried the dogs will look at the chickens as prey. Ugh.

 

[marilyngurl22]

My larger dog would likely handle the situation but the problem is, he doesn't like to stay outside long. Opens the door and goes right back on the couch. Bum!

 

[tcstoehr]

The Coopers Hawk may or may not return. Best to assume it will, but since it did fail there may be easier meals out there. Chickens are larger than a Coopers' preferred prey size, but individuals vary and when one prey isn't available another may have to do. I see a Coopers from time to time around my yard and only once has one showed interest in my chickens who took cover in some dense shrubbery. I very often see and hear Red Tailed Hawks here and never once have any of them bothered my free range chickens. Keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[marilyngurl22]

I hope you're right. I've seen this hawk around since we started letting the chickens out in the yard, months ago. This is the first attempt that I know of. Hopefully it will be discouraged. There should be plenty of food supply around here. Loads of mice, snakes, and squirrels!! I'll cross my fingers too!