Hawk advice please

[Blessedchickens]

I had a falcon come down the other day. I looked out the back kitchen window and all my birds were hitting the fences (side fences to one acre). I went out and saw him sitting on the fence. I have fuor Cohcin Bantams free ranging and they all made it. I also have my silkies in a tractor. I really think that was what he was after and did not realize he could not get to them. He was smaller than my Australorps and ducks. We have red tail hawks in the area nd honestly I believe the only thing that keeps mine from getting attacked is that the lpeople across the street have their chickens out and have had them longer than me. I do not believe they have discovered mine yet.

I have heard a few different things about deterring birds of prey. Somewhere on here somebody mentioned that if you have a turkey, you are far less likely to have birds of prey attack. Both roosters and ducks keep an eye on the sky to warn the others, so that is helpful. I would consider putting my banties up. Especially silkies, seem to have little flags that say "eat me" to the birds of prey world. They cannot see as well with all of those feathers and cannot get out of the way as fast. I have also heard that providing them with cover helps. I have trees and a pole barn but have heard picnic tables, little dog houses or anything can help them out when they get attacked. it would not guarantee he would not follow them in there but it sure makes it harder and they may go after an easier target next door. My ducks have a tree right by their "pond" (aka shallow water trough in the ground). This helps a lot. We also have turkey vultures always circling flying nearby - there is a nice updraft wind current the love to ride on - they do not bother my chickens or ducks but it does make me wonder if the birds don't get so used to seeing them that if a hawk starts circling they do not realize the danger as much. They might get complacent.

Just some thoughts - I hope it helps.

 

[MuranoFarms]

I thought hawks went after the bantys too. I had 10 adult silkies, 13 three month old silkies. 6 banty D'uccles and 3 two month old standards.....all free ranging and that is when it took the 8 lb blue marans hen. Everyone of those birds is smaller then that hen. The second time it got one of the baby silkies. The duck was the only choice yesterday, I just thought ducks would be too big. The silkies run doesn't have a cover because it's in the woods. The coop is just inside the woods, so the run has trees in it that make it hard to put a roof on. I'll probably use deer netting and zip-tie it to the trees.

Do you think they'll mess with my geese? The geese are full grown.

 

[Blessedchickens]

I would guess it depends on what type of hawk it is and how big. I would guess not, but I would have guessed the same thing on the duck! Too heavy to take off with, which they prefer to do most of the time. The honkers may just be loud enough and fight enough to deter it, I hope.

I agree with the netting secured to the trees. Long zip ties work great for that and you can get them at Home Depot. They use them to secure duct work and plumbing. Again anything that makes it more difficult will help. If there are easier targets elsewhere they will go somewhere else. I wonder if you will end up with a hawk entangled in the netting? That would make an interesting adventure!

 

[MuranoFarms]

lol...if I get a hawk entangled in the netting, I can't guarantee I wont leave it there to starve! Seriously though....what would I do? Not allowed to shoot it, letting it go would be stupid. hmmmm

Here's something I've found very weird. I've seen tons of squirrels in the yard the last few weeks. 2 out there right now in fact. I haven't seen squirrels since winter and suddenly they're all over the yard. What can't the stupid hawks eat them? and while they're at it, if they could please do something about the over abundance of chipmunks that keep running across the roads. I'm starting to get a guilt complex about squishing them, but I can't always swerve in time! funny...but true! all this wildlife and they eat my beloved pets!

 

[Fleabyte]

We've had two close calls in the last week. The hens were free range during the day until the hawk came. Now they're only out if I'm out with them, as well as both dogs. But reading here, I wonder if that's enough. The last hawk actually tried to lift our largest bird, unsuccessfully, which makes me think it was desperate or greedy. Good to know, though, that the CDs don't work. Thanks!

 

[al6517]

Quote:
I have allways thought it was just a goofy little lazy attempt at prevention. If a preditor is hungry enough this sort of thing won't deter them. Just like many folks here have mentioned, they were standing right there beside them and they still got swooped up or attacked, yeah a CD is really gonna scare a hawk that hungry LOL.

 

[Blessedchickens]

Quote:
I know, right!! Maybe it's because our silly pets don't move as fast as the zippy squirrels. It does make you wonder where the glitch is thought. I know In Texas we have been having such a horrible drought that we have had momma deer abandoning their babies. i saw two does crossing the road, in borad daylight, I could see their ribs! But with all of the squirrels in your area, you would think that would be a great food source for them. Maybe the squirrels is what initially attracts them and then they see our nice, fat chickens who don't move as fast and think "hmmm that's even better."

Not cool!

 

[Blessedchickens]

lol...if I get a hawk entangled in the netting, I can't guarantee I wont leave it there to starve! Seriously though....what would I do? Not allowed to shoot it, letting it go would be stupid. hmmmm

You may have to call local wildlife people - like Department of Natural Resources or Fish and Wildlife etc. They at least know who to call in that situation. Or if you are really brave - get some very long, thick leather gloves and stuff it in a dog crate and drive a few hours?

Not sure even that would work. Guess I would just make a call.

 

[baldessariclan]

We're in the middle of town, but still have trouble w/ hawks periodically. Seems like it gets worse in fall / winter when trees loose their leaves and we're not out in the yard so much. Some activity in the spring, as well -- mostly juvenile birds, or maybe mama hawks trying to feed their new babys. Summers are generally etter, due to the extra natural cover, plus lots of human activity outside (suspect there is more prey available out in the countryside at that point, too).

Lots of cover / places to hide will help a little, as will lots of human activity / presence during the day. Locking them up for a couple weeks after we spot a hawk hanging around is ok, too -- the hawk usually seems to "move on" after a while (nothing to eat).

Only real long-term solution, though, would be to keep them in a hawk-proof pen / run setup.

 

[MuranoFarms]

Well, it might be worse then we thought. A neighbor stopped by and we started chatting about the hawk. He looked at my ducks and said "there's no way a hawk picked that up, must have been an eagle"

This is the third person to tell me we have eagles around here!

I don't suppose anyone knows how to chase eagles away???