I heard that if you string up some thick fishing string they won't come down. I have heard this works with all predatory birds. I am wondering if this is true or not. I am tried of all these hawks destroying my helpless silkies.
Thats what my friend's did when they had a Eagle problem but they used heavier material than fishing line. They didn't want the Eagles to hurt themselves if they got caught up in the lines. They also attached survey tape to the criss-crossing horizontal lines. So far its been working.
Try a lot of fake crow statues around. Crows always harass birds of prey and it might work. Kind of like a scare crow for hawks.
This was posted on another thread As far as deterring hawks, I found that fishing line tied in parallel rows about 6 feet apart (similar to what you described with the CDs) prevents hawk attacks. I put the lines up in the winter, because that's usually the only time I have serious hawk trouble. Fishing line doesn't last long and needs to be taken down in the spring (it sags and stretches with the weight of rain and snow). I may try vinyl clothesline this winter. It will be more visible (for me) and should last longer. Here is the 1980 Mother Earth News article that describes the fishing line technique. https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=241540
Cool these are some great ideas. I was outside today and I saw the hawks again I think they have a nest near by cause they have been around every day and will not leave... I don't want any more dead chickens. thanks for all the tips
So far we've had luck with this: We staggered T posts no further than 3 ft apart. And then we tied scare tape to the top of the T posts. The hawk can come straight down, BUT it needs a glide path to get out. (especially when carrying prey) So our theory is if it can't get OUT, it won't come IN. It's not pretty, but it seems to be working. We've had some low fly overs, but no more attacks. It's been 2 months and so far so good. I have a pic I can post later.
