HAWK ATTACK

[timothylw890]

This has been a rough winter as far as hawks are concerned around here. I've lost 5. I've tried keeping the birds in, heck, they have even kept themselves in, for a couple of weeks, or more, at a time. But, when they try to go out, the hawks show up, and get another one. My birds are tuned in to hawks, but it hasn't done them much good, this year. The hawks have

are

them under their coop, and into the bushes to kill them. Such a waste.

Try a scarecrow lol

 

[timothylw890]

big

Please use a shotgun, god forbid your bullet hits something. Not trying to sound rude just looking out for your best interest.

 

[JackE]

Try a scarecrow lol

Yeah, why don't you come on over, and I'll hang you up on a stick. Good idea.

 

[happyfrenchman]

Chicken killing is a specialized field for your average hawk. It is not their natural prey and most don't ever indulge in it, but when you find one that does, that is a problem. I have dealt with some that were scarily efficient at killing my birds. I watched on my security camera and realized, the chickens did not have a chance. ... People talk about roosters... there aggressive roo will die when it tangles with most hawks. And I value my rooster (I saved him once from a hawk when he was apparently losing the battle).
I find the simple solution is best. (Save the dead chicken for bait and nix the offending predator). All this other stuff is ridiculous. You have to be able to protect your chickens in their run, that is fundamental chicken husbandry. but if they are in your yard and being preyed upon.... all bets are off. If they are killing chickens it can be inferred that the natural prey is getting too much pressure. As a bonus, the local wild bird population will thank you too. And I hear it all the time, that another will take it's place... I have not found that to be true at all. It is not normal behavior for them to hunt backyard chickens. Another hawk will surely fill the area, but it will not ordinarily be a skilled chicken hunter.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

About the bush, I wouldn't consider a completely foolproof method... our ducks were sitting under their bush when the hawk attacked. in fact they were standing outside and watching it and quickly ran into the bush. The hawk still managed to get his claws on one and could have killed her. I always thought the bush was their safe place - that's like their home, but I seriously underestimated what a hawk will do...

Congratulations. The realization that the well meaning advice out there about the ways to dissuade hawks from killing your chickens (like CDs, brush, or fishing line) is just clap trap. Nothing is 100% effective except locking your chickens away like the girl Rapunzel in the fairy tale and even that didn't end well. There are even post on this forum about hawks giving a chicken coop the bums' rush when the door was opened and flying between the chicken herders legs to grab a hen inside the secure coop. Only those hawks 'what are' pushing up daisies are not a grave threat to the lives of your chickens.

 

[Deryk]

Unfortunately there isn't much you can do about hawks other than netting and keeping them in an enclosed run. Even if you shoot them another will show up.

I lost 12 over the last 6-8 months. 2 confirmed to hawks and the others to either neighbors dogs and coyotes. I have trapped a neighbors dog, shot a coyote, fox, 2 raccoons, and to many opossums to count. I have since put up a 50x50 net for hawks over a run. Haven't had any losses since keeping them in a run 90 days ago. We tried CDs and scarecrows...complete waste of time.

The chickens aren't as happy since they used to have 7 acres to roam, but they are alive. My plan is to keep them all protected and expand the run as I go to give them more room.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Try a scarecrow lol

Do you mean a scare owl like this one?

 

[GreenbrierChickens]

Guess that solves the mystery of my EE killed.

 

[timothylw890]

Haha that'll do alright, but more in the shape of a person . That is a great picture though.

 

[stephcraig78]

Saw the hawk again yesterday. Fired at tree below him. It flew off into the woods and didn’t see it again. We are keeping everyone on lockdown unless we are right out there with them. The owl is always sitting nearby but hasn’t made a move to attack. Hope it’s not just playing the long con. Well spring is close for us so will get a covered run done as soon as cold breaks for more than a day.