FOGHORN LEGHORN~ "Lookit here son, I say, I say son, did ya see that hawk after those hens? ....

[Michael Apple]

attacking through the fence I assume? They do that alot dont they? I heard they just sit there and grab whoever comes close to them.

This one flew down into the yard after quail and I saw it through my kitchen window. Years ago I learned that a covered yard is the way to go. One is always taking chances when chickens are allowed to range. It helps to have low trees and bushes where they range. Mine hear a Blue Jay or crow and head for cover.

 

[Time-Out]

The run and coop (Predator Buffet) in that video was wide open...no cover on the run and the coop looked like the door was wide open.

Dynamic would have been greatly changed if what are largely considered good for nothing adult roosters were present.

These were my first two thoughts on seeing that video too.

We don't have many hawk problems here. There are a few buzzards, but they haven't bothered us yet and the chickens are all locked up tight by the time the owls come out (there are lots of them). Cockerels of any size should stand up to a predator. I have some tiny dutch bantam cockerels that walk right up to dogs and strut around in front of them. They remind me of the little hawk from the first post; unafraid of creatures 100x larger than them!

Here are some more deterrent ideas:
http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/gardening/unwantedvisitors/sparrowhawks.aspx

I've also seen this used with success: http://www.birdgard.com.au/bird-pest-control-products/bird-gard-kite.htm

You don't really want to plug anything directly into the mains; it's far too dangerous. That's why fences and whatnot either plug into adaptors or into a battery that delivers alternative current. The pulsing current allows anything touching it to get away. This includes humans.

 

[Shellz]

Interesting, we were discussing, not sure if here or another thread... at what age does a rooster start showing protectiveness? I have a bunch of Roos in the run but they are mostly ages 4-6 months old and I cant envision them hurting a bug right now! LOL

you would think out of all these dogs I would have at least one proper aint! stinkers!!

I think for a rooster to be any good, would mean that he'd have to be at least a year old, but older & wiser is better! They survive a few seasons to get to know the lay-of-the-land. A certain amount of aggression is good in order to protect flock. I watch their behaviours as they grow & keep the best one. He has to be nice to the hens too (tidbitting). My 2 year old rooster thought my little dog was a threat to his girls, so he went on the attack. I said good boy! Dog wasn't hurt & she learned not to mess with the birds.

 

[Shellz]

Aw man, I feel for you folks with hawk problems! It sucks so bad! Since a failed hawk attack last year, I'm starting to figure that there may be more this year. I'm going to have to practice target shooting my 20 ga more often this year. Not illegal to shoot on my range.

I wonder if there's a connection to feeding wild birds that bring in the hawks. Hawks feed on wild birds & leave chickens alone? Just a theory. I stopped feeding wild birds last year, maybe that's why my hen got attacked? I used to notice wild bird feathers on the ground near feeder, so something was getting them. Hmmm,....

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Quote: he he he!! so I have one run protected right now! they others are free for pickins!!

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Quote: awesome gonna check them out!

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Wow that thing can move! wonder if I put it on the roof of the house if it would work, since its all trees other wise! My dogs would go NUTS though! LOL

 

[Sally Sunshine]

• Half-full plastic bottles or CDs hung up in trees to scare the predators away.
• If feeders are under an overhang (eg under tree branches) hang strings like bead curtain strands a few inches apart around the perimeter of the overhang to slow down the hawk

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Quote: oh I bet they sound cool at night in the summers!!

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Sally:

Just hang an orange vest in your backyard. They're gone....In my neighborhood they don't even raise their white tails when my dogs alert...they just mosey off....I'm afraid to plant tulips,,,,some doe would kick my pooches tucas.....

you think they are already aware of hunters because of the orange vests? You guys have some great ideas!!!

How about a scare crow with a toy gun flurencent hat and vest! Would be fun to create with the kiddos Too!! LOL

They say not one method will work, use several but keep rotating things and using different props!