Does anybody have any suggestions for hawk control?

[Joshua G]

I came home the other day and noticed my rooster was in my front yard, wich is a little ways from the chicken yard, so when my sibling went to put him back she found my only hen laying with all her feathers scattered around her and most of the skin and meat eaten off her, and a large hawk in the tree above her.
So i am wondering if anyone might have any solutions or suggestions for keeping away hawks?

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Heavy knotted netting- it is what I use over part of my pens. Hang it for a snow load. I buy the 2 inch kind.

I also provide hiding places such as pallets elevated on concrete blocks but a determined aerial predator can still get them...netting is best.

 

[Kyzmette]

I have heard that hanging old dvds and cds from the trees helps. Something about the light reflections is supposed to deter them.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

I have heard that hanging old dvds and cds from the trees helps. Something about the light reflections is supposed to deter them.

My feeling is that DVDs and CDs only work if the hawks are tripping on LSD. A scoped .17 HMRF, a steady hand, a good eye, and a little practice is all that will "deter" a hawk. Don't confuse deterrence with protection. Protection is keeping your chickens out of the hawks world. Deterrence IMHO is more about taking the hawk out of his. There is a subtle difference between the two although both may reach the same goal.

If you try the latter strategy don't forget to look up S.S.S.

 

[PolkaDot77]

Netting works best. Tie strips of metallic party streamers to it so as they wave in the wind the hawks are less likely to swoop down at all.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Hawks are protected under law so don't kill or harass them, I have read. Others have mentioned this in other threads, so I mention it in case someone doesn't know.

 

[centrarchid]

Deterrence methods I employ are as applied very effective and legal. Flocks are mixed gender with an adult rooster (standard-sized) and have access to multiple cover patches. Sometimes cover is represented by pens of some sort. What makes it all work so well are dogs that go bonkers put and after raptor chasing it off. Without dogs which realized a couple years ago, free-range of vulnerable birds was restricted to end of work day and weekends when I was present to do yard work. Hawks are interesting in their own right and I have a situation where they can be watched as well. It also helps to know hawk species involved since not all are threats and even those that are do not always do their business in the same way.

 

[jak2002003]

Above poster is right.

Get a few roosters to add to your flock. They keep a keep lookout for danger and will sound the 'danger from the air' call. Then all the hens will go running for cover.

Supply lots of dense shrubs, or piles of tree branches, low table or benches......so then hens can all run under there.

The haws attacks will decrease as the hawks realise that they are not getting a nice free meal any longer, and they will look for easier pickings.

Putting up nesting places for crows and ravens will help too if you can. They hate hawks and will mob then and drive them off. My friend lives on a farm with lots crows nesting in trees and in outbuildings. They will drive off any bird of prey in the area.

 

[Mtn Laurel]

I use deer netting over the run and I've seen it work. Watched a hawk diving down for the girls and - when it finally saw the netting - it hit the brakes and flew back up real quick. Almost didn't make that final turn in time.

 

[aart]