Hawk attack! (question)

[joanm]

I had a hawk try to get one of my chickens the other day when they were out in the yard. It scared me to death, not to mention my chickens! Now I'm afraid to let them out and they are used to being out every evening when I get home. What does everyone else do? Let them out and hope they will escape death or leave them "cooped up"?

Thanks!

 

[thechickenfarmer]

I've had chickens for a year and a half with no problems, until today! My buff orp. rooster Twinkie, was really making a lot of unusual noise this morning. I went out to see what the problem was and saw nothing. About 15 minutes later Twinkie was still going at it. I went out again and a hawk came down right into their run then flew up and landed on the roof of the coop! I yelled at him but he didn't seem to care about me at all. I stayed out there a while, I thought he was gone but then he came back right in front of me. Twinkie did his job and got all the girls inside. The hawk was about half the size of Twinkie and didn't seem to want to challenge him and left. My chickens have a run but also have access to a field with an electric fence. Both the run and field are filled with apple trees, I was so surprised to see the hawk come in under the canopy of apple trees. I put all the chickens inside for a couple of hours before letting them out again. I haven't seen any more sign of the hawk and I've been watching all day. My mother gave me a shiny red and silver ribbon to tie on the run fence, it's what she and my father use in their vineyard to keep birds away. I don't know what other people do but I can't keep my chickens inside. It was too hot today for one thing but they also just don't like it. Good luck, I hope your hawk doesn't come back. Jen

 

[joanm]

I have a lot of tree cover too. I was very suprised that the hawk tried to get them. I am going to let them out tonight, but I will stay outside with them until dark. I know the hawk is still around and I'll have to come up with a way for him to go "bye bye"!

 

[Chatychick]

I know when 1 of mine got attacked the others were making all kinds of racket and they ran for the henhouse. Now when something they know to be a hawk flys over they run really fast for cover and they listen to the others too. They seem to learn what is what in the sky and when to take off...I know if a buzzard is flying overhead they dont seem to be worried and if its something else they let each other know. All it take is for 1 to get got and they learn fast...good luck

 

[MandyH]

We have had major issues with the hawks and owls lately. We have lots of trees and that just makes it worse because they have a good spot to land and perch without you seeing them. They sit there and pick out their meal then swoop down and get them. They always come back year after year too. And it only gets worse in the winter. I hate them!!!!!!!!!!

 

[JenniferJoIN]

Joanm, I think one of mine got taken by a hawk last night. We've never seen them around our place, but I think the harvesting of soybeans (and thus mice) brought them out. Our little americauna disappeared, and now I'm afraid to let the other 13 out who are, like yours, used to getting let out in the evenings when we get home!!

Now I'm worried!

 

[joanm]

I just remembered this: My great aunt did this once because a hawk kept getting her chickens; she strung fishing line across the yard and tied it to the fence where the hawk swoops. The hawk can't see the fishing line and flies into it and gets tangled. I'm thinking I might try this. I know this sounds cruel, but I don't want that hawk getting my chickens!!!

It lives in some pines two lots down from me and I know it will be back!

 

[nccatnip]

I heard here if you hang blank or old cd's from fishing line it deters them. They will spin around and scare off the hawks.

 

[TxChiknRanchers]

 

[JenniferJoIN]

Joanm, let me know if you do the fishing line trick and if it works. I need to do something too!