Cooper's Hawks - anyone have experience with?

[farm_mom]

We have both Coopers and Sharp Shinned Hawks here, who turn our bird feeder into a hawk feeder, mostly during the winter months. My husband thinks the reason our chickens have been safe is because of the large pigeon population that lives in our barn's silo.

(We once saw a Coopers take a pigeon out mid-air!!) Which I suppose may be true, if they have enough of their natural prey to feed on they may not be tempted to attack my larger birds.

 

[LittleChickenRacingTeam]

I treat the hawks exactly the same as all the other predators around here. They just seem to disappear.

 

[jjthink]

When I opened the back door this morning (also maybe only 20 feet from the coop) one of the hawks was right there low on a branch by the back door and then flew took off up toward the nest when it saw me. It landed on a branch and we stared at each other. They are beautiful but this is going to be a rough several weeks at least! That's assuming they even decide to leave after nesting.

The hawks are small compared to a standard chicken BUT they've probably done the calculus. Their strong head and beak is much more formidable than a chicken's. And chickens can't fly away at all, much less in a hurry....The fact that a chicken's body is fuller and makes them look big probably matters not!

The way the yard is configured, unfortunately there's no way to install additional netting so BJ and Annie only have their covered run. Perhaps not the absolute worst at 8' x 30' but they think it is and Annie is pacing and frustrated in minutes. Suddenly the days are feeling very long! The only thing that calms her down is if I throw bird seed in and I do - because if she doesn't shut up, the neighbors will murder us all! (she has her favorite places she likes to visit and when she can't...).

I feel bad for them because the weather just got stupendous and they want to explore. I'll probably go let them out for an hour and stand over them and once again get to work later than planned.......but I just feel so badly for them.....I'm cancelling or avoiding making any plans for weeks so that when I'm not at work I can let them out and stand over them...sigh....
JJ

 

[Lunachick]

Good luck with your hawk situation JJ. I wouldn't take any chances, if you let them out I would be standing right there with them.

 

[LynneP]

I feel sorry for them too, JJ, chickens can be so ungrateful to be alive- which is only because you're protecting them!

 

[McGoo]

I believe that Cooper's Hawks used to be called 'Chicken Hawks' .... need I say more.

They are like sharp shins, however bigger and more powerful. They whip through the trees and aim for the neck. Next thing you know your little one is history. Only thing I can say is that it's not a prolonged death.

I have Red Tails who hang out and take advantage of the Cooper's kill, but they've actually never taken one themselves.

If I were you I'd try and discourage their nesting nearby.

 

[jjthink]

Thanks much for the insights, and the empathy!

Yikes McGoo - so you've had Cooper's kill your chickens? (and if so, standard sized?) Or was it other types of birds they killed and the redtails came in?

I heard back today from a falcon association - NAFA - they said they did not think Cooper's hawks would attack a 5 pound chicken. Excerpt from the note I received: "I double-checked and although the babies will leave the nest about a month along, they'll hang out and the parents will continue feeding them for about another month. Chickens are pretty large prey for a Coops. If they were pigeons, of course, you'd be in trouble, but a five-pound chicken is probably too large. As long as there are young starlings and mice and things for them to eat, they should leave the chickens alone."

This was good to hear but I rely more on BYCers first hand experience.

Poor BJ roo and hen Annie didn't get out of the run tonight till nearly 7 p.m. when I got home, shortly before their bedtime. Annie seems to "sneezing" a little today. I wonder if she stressed herself into getting sick :| - she really does not like being "caged"!
JJ

 

[McGoo]

Yes, the Coopers killed my biggest gal! I was not there, but my dh was driving up the driveway when it happened. And believe it or not, there were 2 red tails in the tree waiting. They happen to nest within a couple 100 yds, so it was convenient.

I would not have believed this had I not seen the unlikely trio flying above our home over and over again for many days after this happened.

The Coopers Hawk is not that big, but I think, just like the Sharp-shinned, they take by surprise and momentum/power.... sorta like the falcon only coming through the trees.

 

[Cetawin]

Quote:
Be careful....their disappearance could be valued at 5,000.00 per bird unlike other predators.

It is more cost effective to secure the coop.

Cooper's are smaller hawks, fast and not likely to attack a full sized healthy bird....bantams and chicks...you betcha! Eagles, redtails, red shouldered and falcons will take on an adult without thinking twice.

 

[jjthink]

McGoo, DRAT!!!!!!!!!!!! I was hoping you wouldn't say that. (and I'm sorry it happened to your gal). I have noticed the incredible flying agility and speed of these hawks.

Cetawin, thanks for your take on the hopeful unlikelihood of them taking a healthy 5 pound bird.

I am hoping this was an uncommon occurrence but have enough fear about it that I can tell I'll be standing over my feathered friends a lot. It's already hurting my work but I hate to leave them in a small run all the time - right when the weather has gotten so nice they want OUT. When I took the trash out this morning, Mr. or Mrs. Cooper was in a branch watching me. Feel a little bit like we're under a microscope here! Interjecting a little humor but it really is going to be a longggggg vigil till they leave - IF they leave.
JJ