Lots of trees works well here.
In 5 years of having chickens I've only had 2 hawk attacks, lost one chicken.
Both attacks happened when trees had no foliage.
November and March.
The first attack happened inside their uncovered pen nearly 5 years ago. I was home when attack happened and ran outside to see a Coopers Hawk fly away.
My 7 months old Pullet lost feathers but survived.
Both of my 200 square foot pens are now covered. Half with tarp and half with deer netting.
My second chicken was lost to a Coopers Hawk while free ranging last March, no foliage on trees.
I was doing laundry in the basement when a pullet ran past a window into a cat house.
I ran outside towards the coops and the Hawk flew out from behind some brush. There I found it dead.
I only let my chickens out of their pen an hour before sunset daily weather permitting.
I also lost two others. One to a Fox and one to a Bobcat.
Hawks are a protected species.
Free Range comes with a price. GC
