Hawk Deterent - cayenne pepper?

[Hangtown Farms]

Others say a large, protective rooster helps. I don't have one right now, so when a hawk attempts an attack, I decrease free ranging time and increase my own vigilance (and I am normally quite vigilant anyway) for awhile. Basically I do not let the chickens out unless someone is able to keep pretty close tabs on what's going on around the yard. After 2-3 weeks of unrewarded patrolling of my yard, the hawk gives up. I still see them around, but they stop stalking my flock. Then I can give the chickens more freedom again. Once a hawk (or any predator) is successful or nearly successful in taking a chicken, it will lurk persistently, unless it learns that it is wasting its time and energy.

I had a jersey giant rooster.