Hawk on run

[ShrekDawg]

So my chickens have been inside during the day a lot lately which is really weird for them because they are almost NEVER inside except maybe on days with bad weather but even then they usually stand outside and get soaked (big dummies ) so for them to stay inside on gorgeous days is really weird. At first we thought they just didn't like the new bedding I had put in the run or maybe a fox but my dad just saw a hawk land on the run. They stayed inside a long time after and had to be bribed/coaxed out. They were inside before that though too and I coaxed them out by putting scratch in the run but the hawk terrified them. Anyway, long story short, do you think putting a fake owl on the run would deter a hawk? I would put it on the covered part so they couldn't see it but a hawk could but idk if fake owls even work on hawks? I just don't want them to be terrified and stuck inside all day on nice days.

 

[Squeak61]

A fake owl would definitely help, and they also hate reflective things (CDs, reflective tape, etc). Just avoid mirrors, you don't want any fires! Also, hawks don't like people, so if you ever go out with them, that might help too

 

[ShrekDawg]

A fake owl would definitely help, and they also hate reflective things (CDs, reflective tape, etc). Just avoid mirrors, you don't want any fires! Also, hawks don't like people, so if you ever go out with them, that might help too

Thanks, I'll try all those suggestions! Maybe I could hang some CDs nearby or make a spinny thing or something. And I go out a few times a day to check them usually and my dad goes out a lot to smoke so we are outside a lot but also can't sit there all day and watch them, which is why they don't free range as much lately. But idk, maybe it is a combination of the hawk and the material

 

[coach723]

I found a fake owl to only be effective for a short time. When it doesn't move, they figure it out and ignore it. If you feel like repositioning it regularly, it might work. Giving the chickens more options to hide under can help, their instinct is to get under cover. Having roosters can help deter them also, if you want roo's.
https://countrysidenetwork.com/dail...s-housing/how-to-protect-chickens-from-hawks/

 

[ShrekDawg]

I found a fake owl to only be effective for a short time. When it doesn't move, they figure it out and ignore it. If you feel like repositioning it regularly, it might work. Giving the chickens more options to hide under can help, their instinct is to get under cover. Having roosters can help deter them also, if you want roo's.
https://countrysidenetwork.com/dail...s-housing/how-to-protect-chickens-from-hawks/

Thanks for the article and info! I don't mind repositioning it so I might at least try it. We can't have a rooster because we have close neighbors in the back and should they have cover in the run? I didn't even think of that. When they free range they have a lot of options to hide but inside the run they don't really have any but I didn't think they needed any since the run is covered. Maybe I will try that though.

 

[ShrekDawg]

No luck finding a fake owl at Walmart. I might try to go to Tractor Supply or another Walmart and see if they have one but I don't really want to drive all over the place. Maybe I will try pie pans and/or CDs instead.

 

[Aceoky]

Someone on here not long ago posted a picture of a hawk actually perched on a fake owl

 

[EggWalrus]

A fake owl would definitely help, and they also hate reflective things (CDs, reflective tape, etc). Just avoid mirrors, you don't want any fires! Also, hawks don't like people, so if you ever go out with them, that might help too

You can put all the mirrors you want in the pen. They do not cause fires. And even if you hung up magnifying glasses, they wouldn't start a fire, not as long as they were hung so that the focal point didn't focus on something combustible.

 

[aart]

A fake owl would definitely help, and they also hate reflective things (CDs, reflective tape, etc). Just avoid mirrors, you don't want any fires! Also, hawks don't like people, so if you ever go out with them, that might help too

Have read numerous posts about hawks attacking within 10' of people....and.....save your money:

 

[Aceoky]

Thanks @aart, I knew someone had posted that picture, just couldn't remember who/where.