Free ranging question…

[Aunt Angus]

In re: the pellet guns, etc.

IIRC, it's illegal to shoot a hawk or eagle to protect livestock.

I was thinking foxes, raccoons, skunks (from long range ), etc. But you are absolutely correct, of course.

 

[Katana71]

I do not free range my girls. I have 6 and 4 of them are 7 months old, the other two are 5 months. We have hawks and owls that fly over us daily. They have a big protected run (10 x 14’), so they get plenty of outside time. Anyone free ranging? I am curious as to whether I am just being over protective or should leave it as is. Thanks

You have plenty to read here which is great. I would like to add something that could help you and others. I put pallets on cinder blocks in a few areas to give the girls shelter. I also lean one on two of my coops so they can walk under/behind it. I also built a 10 foot long pallet thing that we call the ladder. The ladder is on cinder blocks and the girls just love it. I think the point I'm trying to make is that it's really simple to create cover if need be. Best of luck

 

[Dragonlady1956]

In re: the pellet guns, etc.

IIRC, it's illegal to shoot a hawk or eagle to protect livestock.

I shoot at, I don't actually shoot them, there's no way I can hit something moving like that but the noise usually scares them.

 

[Iluveggers]

I free range for an hour or two a day. I sit out there with them with my air pellet gun and a stick in case something comes near. A few chicken hawks have thought about flying a little closer but with me standing there they don't bother.

Does you sitting there deter them? I have a couple hawks that fly over my yard multiple times a day. When I let the girls into my garden, I carry a rake and stand up and wave it around when I see any hawk flying near. Then I usually usher the girls back in the run for the rest of the day. Eventually I’d like to get cover for the garden but DH believes if I’m out there nothing will bother them.

 

[Aunt Angus]

You have plenty to read here which is great. I would like to add something that could help you and others. I put pallets on cinder blocks in a few areas to give the girls shelter. I also lean one on two of my coops so they can walk under/behind it. I also built a 10 foot long pallet thing that we call the ladder. The ladder is on cinder blocks and the girls just love it. I think the point I'm trying to make is that it's really simple to create cover if need be. Best of luck

I love this idea! I'm STEALING it! Mwhahahaha!

 

[Aunt Angus]

Does you sitting there deter them? I have a couple hawks that fly over my yard multiple times a day. When I let the girls into my garden, I carry a rake and stand up and wave it around when I see any hawk flying near. Then I usually usher the girls back in the run for the rest of the day. Eventually I’d like to get cover for the garden but DH believes if I’m out there nothing will bother them.

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. I had one that wouldn't go away. I could have jumped up and grabbed it where it was in the tree. I tried EVERYTHING I could think of to scare it off. I ended up getting really frustrated and hucked what I had in my hand at it - an egg haha!. I didn't hit the hawk, but I hit the branch it was sitting on. Only then did it fly off.

 

[3KillerBs]

I shoot at, I don't actually shoot them, there's no way I can hit something moving like that but the noise usually scares them.

That too is illegal.

Best to contact your local authorities in order to find out what you actually are allowed to do to deter birds of prey because the shooting part -- even if you don't hit them -- is illegal at the Federal level in the US.

IIRC, harassing them is also illegal.

 

[Dragonlady1956]

Does you sitting there deter them? I have a couple hawks that fly over my yard multiple times a day. When I let the girls into my garden, I carry a rake and stand up and wave it around when I see any hawk flying near. Then I usually usher the girls back in the run for the rest of the day. Eventually I’d like to get cover for the garden but DH believes if I’m out there nothing will bother them.

I guess it deters them in my head it also gives me a couple hours outside in the fresh air - not watching TV , not playing on my phone, blah blah blah

 

[Exiragirls]

I free range. We have a covered run, and a larger fenced in area around that, but I still let them out to roam on 2.5 acres. We also have hawks, owls and eagles. In the year and a half I’ve let them free range, we’ve had one attack. I shut them in the fenced in area for a week or so, until the predator seems to have given up, then I let them back out and haven’t had an issue.

Just my experience!

I have free ranged my 6 girls for 2 1/2 years on our 2.5 acres and never had an issue until last weekend. 4 went missing early but two returns at sunset….the other two did not….I will still continue to free range but mor cautiously during fall and winter.

 

[Knobby]

In re: the pellet guns, etc.

IIRC, it's illegal to shoot a hawk or eagle to protect livestock.

you are correct...no on hawks eagles, even herons.