Hawk attacking flock

[donteatbees]

Two days in a row I've lost a hen to what we're fairly certain is a hawk. We've not seen the predator, but our dogs are good at keeping anything on the ground away. Until I can get any netting/wire up (it's a big area with trees, so it isn't something quick and easy to do) how can I scare off the hawks? I'll be getting reflective ribbon tomorrow, so what else could work? I'm thinking of putting big bright things outside (like a shirt or ball or some sort of bug bright toy). I would like to make a scarecrow too, but I need to have something I can do quickly before I leave for work in the morning, and I don't have anything to make a scarecrow right now.

I do have a rooster too, and the hawk got some of his tail so I know my big tough boy is doing his best.

Literally any suggestions are welcome and appreciated. Thank you all in advance <3

 

[nuthatched]

If your coop is big enough, keep them in, he's found an all you can eat chicken buffet.

 

[donteatbees]

If your coop is big enough, keep them in, he's found an all you can eat chicken buffet.

How long would I have to do this? I could get up and turn off the automatic door before it opens for sure. But I wouldn't be able to get eggs or feed them or fill their water without them getting out unless I wait until night. And I can't fight the automatic door forever, unfortunately:/

 

[nuthatched]

How long would I have to do this? I could get up and turn off the automatic door before it opens for sure. But I wouldn't be able to get eggs or feed them or fill their water without them getting out unless I wait until night. And I can't fight the automatic door forever, unfortunately:/

Do it at night or early in the morning. I have a coyote that's been coming around every day, my birds and pets are on house arrest.

 

[donteatbees]

Do it at night or early in the morning. I have a coyote that's been coming around every day, my birds and pets are on house arrest.

Once I let them out they won't go back into the coop until they either don't like the weather (snow, storms or heavy rain) or it's night. So if I let them out right when I get home and watch them maybe they'll be good. My mum and a family friend are home tomorrow so they'll be working on scaring the hawk(s) away.

The attacks seem to be happening at dusk though, as the hen I found today hadn't had rigor mortis set in yet, so it would have been before I got home. Yesterday may have been earlier but the top half of her (other than spine, skull and comb) were gone

 

[PimsGarden]

Unfortunately I'd keep the chickens locked up until you get some deer netting put up, they will be back every single day if there is still access to more chickens. We have tons of hawks on our property and our run is completely covered in deer netting, I see hawks pull birds out of trees in my yard so I didn't have my birds in the run till I completely covered it. While I'm home I let them out of the run and into our chain fence backyard to free range in the grass for a couple hours each day, but only when I'm out there with them because of the hawks.

Luckily we do have a flock of crows that chase off hawks and that's usually when I know one is around because the crows start yelling and drive it out of a tree where it was prob watching my chickens from... Those crows are my friends and I hope they never leave!

 

[McChooky]

Two days in a row I've lost a hen to what we're fairly certain is a hawk. We've not seen the predator, but our dogs are good at keeping anything on the ground away. Until I can get any netting/wire up (it's a big area with trees, so it isn't something quick and easy to do) how can I scare off the hawks? I'll be getting reflective ribbon tomorrow, so what else could work? I'm thinking of putting big bright things outside (like a shirt or ball or some sort of bug bright toy). I would like to make a scarecrow too, but I need to have something I can do quickly before I leave for work in the morning, and I don't have anything to make a scarecrow right now.

I do have a rooster too, and the hawk got some of his tail so I know my big tough boy is doing his best.

Literally any suggestions are welcome and appreciated. Thank you all in advance

Your chickens need a run with netting and an electric fence around it all to discourage aerial predators and bears (dogs can't run them off) Moving them to a shed temporarily might keep them safe until you can improve your set up.

 

[lagrange chicks]

Unfortunately I'd keep the chickens locked up until you get some deer netting put up, they will be back every single day if there is still access to more chickens. We have tons of hawks on our property and our run is completely covered in deer netting, I see hawks pull birds out of trees in my yard so I didn't have my birds in the run till I completely covered it. While I'm home I let them out of the run and into our chain fence backyard to free range in the grass for a couple hours each day, but only when I'm out there with them because of the hawks.

Luckily we do have a flock of crows that chase off hawks and that's usually when I know one is around because the crows start yelling and drive it out of a tree where it was prob watching my chickens from... Those crows are my friends and I hope they never leave!

I feed the crows here, they seem to always be watching and wait for me to put a treat on the old tree stump for them.

 

[PimsGarden]

I feed the crows here, they seem to always be watching and wait for me to put a treat on the old tree stump for them.

I wish I could reward the ones here, they never hangout on the ground or anything nearby. Always 40+ feet up in a tree. I really appreciate them tho!

 

[McChooky]

I wish I could reward the ones here, they never hangout on the ground or anything nearby. Always 40+ feet up in a tree. I really appreciate them tho!

Mine brush me off and make me feel stupid for trying to be nice