Deadly Hawk problem

[Hawks Suck]

So I have had chickens for about 10 years and never had any hawk problems until last year. The first time it happened my dad had said it was a chicken hawk and so we have been looking out for them pretty well ever since then besides when we are not home and then we come back to find out that they have killed another one and we have to go and find the other ones. But then it happened again a couple days ago. We have been having crows that have been sitting on top of our trees watching over our property and even have chased a red-tailed hawk away who tried to kill one of ours and they were successful that day. And so every time they were out there was at least one crow that would watch for hawks and so we thought that our chickens were fine but they must have failed a couple days ago. But there was even a couple times when I saw a black bird (like a crow or raven) fly away from the dead ones. And we can always tell when a hawk attacked because our rooster will start croaking really loudly and will be hidden somewhere.

So I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions to stop this problem. And we can't cover it since they are free-range and we have a big yard. So any other suggestions would be highly appreciated.

 

[ashlierami]

So I have had chickens for about 10 years and never had any hawk problems until last year. The first time it happened my dad had said it was a chicken hawk and so we have been looking out for them pretty well ever since then besides when we are not home and then we come back to find out that they have killed another one and we have to go and find the other ones. But then it happened again a couple days ago. We have been having crows that have been sitting on top of our trees watching over our property and even have chased a red-tailed hawk away who tried to kill one of ours and they were successful that day. And so every time they were out there was at least one crow that would watch for hawks and so we thought that our chickens were fine but they must have failed a couple days ago. But there was even a couple times when I saw a black bird (like a crow or raven) fly away from the dead ones. And we can always tell when a hawk attacked because our rooster will start croaking really loudly and will be hidden somewhere.

So I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions to stop this problem. And we can't cover it since they are free-range and we have a big yard. So any other suggestions would be highly appreciated.

I have free range birds as well. I had a hawk issue when they were just a few months old. It is very hard to handle since they are out in the open and things happen. I've read you could try a decoy of a bird that Hawks are afraid of which may or may not work. Owl or an eagle would be a suggestion. Also hanging cds by a string from trees or your house could work. A scarecrow might also help. You would need to move these things every so often so that the Hawks continue to fear it (if they even do). My birds learned from their first hawk attack to take cover. My roo makes his alarm sound and they all hide even if it's a crow or other bird passing by. I have had issues with an eagle taking my birds but it only happens every couple of months or longer. They just are there one minute and gone the next. No sounds are made, no feathers are left. Hope this helps somewhat.

 

[townchicks]

I'm sorry for your losses, that always sucks. If you went 10 yrs w/o a hawk attack, you are darn lucky. Hawks are a fact of life with free ranging . It is illegal to kill or harm raptors so if you don't want to confine your chickens to a covered run, you need to be able to accept some losses. You can start by providing a lot of cover in the yard, for your chickens to run hide under. Ashlierami's suggestions are all good too, and worth a try. You should consider a covered run for at least the time of day when nobody can watch them though.

 

[Hawks Suck]

Also the other day there

I have free range birds as well. I had a hawk issue when they were just a few months old. It is very hard to handle since they are out in the open and things happen. I've read you could try a decoy of a bird that Hawks are afraid of which may or may not work. Owl or an eagle would be a suggestion. Also hanging cds by a string from trees or your house could work. A scarecrow might also help. You would need to move these things every so often so that the Hawks continue to fear it (if they even do). My birds learned from their first hawk attack to take cover. My roo makes his alarm sound and they all hide even if it's a crow or other bird passing by. I have had issues with an eagle taking my birds but it only happens every couple of months or longer. They just are there one minute and gone the next. No sounds are made, no feathers are left. Hope this helps somewhat.

Thanks, i'll try these things

 

[Baby_the_duckling]

You should buy those huge coops or put some net above your whole yard.

 

[RWise]

Have a shotgun? Pick up some blanks, make some noise with it when they fly over, hawks can be trained. Works to get rid of those pesky crows too.

 

[RNPAULIE69]

Have a shotgun? Pick up some blanks, make some noise with it when they fly over, hawks can be trained. Works to get rid of those pesky crows too.

Crows are actually really great to keep around, they chase hawks away from their territory

 

[RWise]

Crows are actually really great to keep around, they chase hawks away from their territory

I do not find this to be true, I have had hawks nesting here on my place for many years. Crows are also here, and I do not see them bothering the hawks ever, and they will take eggs and chicks!