Hawk habits....

[KatkyCampbell]

I live in San Diego and we have a family of hawks that live across the street from our house in a huge tree. Before I got chickens I loved to watch them fly and circle high up in the sky and hear their screech... but now? Not so much They are so very brazen here. I will be out back moving around OBVIOUSLY a big ole human being and they will land right on my fence and stare me down. I used to let my chickens free range for an hour each day while I sat in my chair and read a book. But I cannot do this anymore. I have such a fear of these hawks swooping down to get one. We have a very good size run that is safe and sound, but I miss having them out in the backyard clucking away finding bugs and digging up leaves etc.

So, my question is this.....is there a time of day or a time of year that hawks are not out and about? Like are they not early risers? or do they go home to sleep at dusk? or do they hibernate or migrate or anything?

I am resigned to keeping them in their run if need be. I would hate to lose even one to a hawk! But if there is a time when we could let them out for a short bit with all of us out there keeping eyes in the sky, that would be nice....

 

[MrFluffyandGirls]

The old people use to hang shiny aluminum pie pans around to keeps hawks away. You can also hang old shiny CD's around or reflective pinwheels placed all along your fence posts. Scarecrows with shiny things hanging off its arms but you have to move it around so they don't get used to it and know its not a decoy. Of course you won't get yard of the month using any of these tactics. LOL! I don't think it's a fool proof solution but it might help deter.

 

[ducksinvt]

I got a solar powered owl, his head moves 1/3 of a turn every 45sec or so, seems to be working really well. I had 2 hawks come down and try and grab my ducks right in front of my face before I got it, and havnt had any come down since, but the resident crows are also keeping them in check lately, so I'm unsure if the owl did anything for them, but I know it deterred the falcons..

 

[Fluster Cluck Acres]

I just experienced my first "right in front of my face" hawk attack today. Fortunately, my girls are all okay. But it came from out of nowehere and attacked my girls within FEET of both me and my 100 lb. dog. I was SHOCKED! I'm anxious to hear some solutions offered here on your post, as I also want to let my chickens roam while keeping them safe.

As far as hawk behavior - the one thing I do know is that all raptors like to hunt when it's overcast, so they are less likely to cast a shadow and alert their prey. Hope this one bit of info helps, and hope your flock stays safe!!

 

[Fluster Cluck Acres]

I got a solar powered owl, his head moves 1/3 of a turn every 45sec or so, seems to be working really well. I had 2 hawks come down and try and grab my ducks right in front of my face before I got it, and havnt had any come down since, but the resident crows are also keeping them in check lately, so I'm unsure if the owl did anything for them, but I know it deterred the falcons..

I'm looking online for one of these solar powered owls now. There are quite a few of them. It sounds like you're happy with yours. Do you know the brand? Thanks!

 

[ILoveDaffy]

You think they are interesting until they try to eat your precious hennys. Then, "This is WAR, you horrid creatures!"

 

[cmom]

I live in San Diego and we have a family of hawks that live across the street from our house in a huge tree. Before I got chickens I loved to watch them fly and circle high up in the sky and hear their screech... but now? Not so much They are so very brazen here. I will be out back moving around OBVIOUSLY a big ole human being and they will land right on my fence and stare me down. I used to let my chickens free range for an hour each day while I sat in my chair and read a book. But I cannot do this anymore. I have such a fear of these hawks swooping down to get one. We have a very good size run that is safe and sound, but I miss having them out in the backyard clucking away finding bugs and digging up leaves etc.

So, my question is this.....is there a time of day or a time of year that hawks are not out and about? Like are they not early risers? or do they go home to sleep at dusk? or do they hibernate or migrate or anything?

I am resigned to keeping them in their run if need be. I would hate to lose even one to a hawk! But if there is a time when we could let them out for a short bit with all of us out there keeping eyes in the sky, that would be nice....

Nighttime is probably the only time a hawk sleeps but then there are other predators prowling.

 

[cmom]

 

[Fluster Cluck Acres]

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[rumbleBee_STi]

We’ve had tons of hawks around lately. I notice that they love to hunt when it’s sunny, & cloudless here in my part of NC. That doesn’t mean they don’t hunt any of the other times of the day, or when it’s cloudy. Another way I know if a hawk is around is when all of the song birds are gone, not a sound coming from them. Use your best judgment & study their behaviors before letting your babies free range.