Hawk! Only a predator to young or bantams?

[Candyhl]

Since getting our chicks a few months ago I have become very keen on spotting hawks around our property. Also reading on this site about all the problems people have with hawks as well. This leads me to my question: Are hawks a problem only to the young and bantams? I have seen hawks come and go on our property and yesterday had one land about 50 ft away from my free ranging 8 weeks old girls. He flew away without incident but I noticed that the girls are as large or larger than he was. It would seem to me that my girls are only a potential meal for them for a few more weeks until they are then no doubt much larger than the hawk. Will a hawk attack something that is possible 3 to 4 times larger than itself. My coop and run will be very secure from ground predators when completed but will be open from above to birds of prey. I could understand an eagle attack on a full grown chicken but a hawk attack seems very unlikely. Any thoughts?

When I was doing research on the subject when I first got my small dogs, I read that a hawk can carry off up to 11 pounds. So with that in mind, I will assume that they are all on the menu. One exception might be the larger breeds with thicker or fluffier feathers that might appear to be heavier than their actual weight.

(And obviously, reading everyones posts here, they enjoy a "sit down" meal, in which case, it isn't going to matter how heavy they are.)

 

[cgmccary]

I never have any problem with hawks where I live now in the country.There are Red Shouldered Hawks that nest nearby and I have never known them to be a poultry predator; I see and hear them every day. My chickens still scatter & hide when they fly over (this morning one flew right over the barn yard not 25 feet up). Most hawks cannot carry-off Large Fowl chickens. In fact, a Cooper's or Sharp-shinned could never lift a large fowl but could a juvenile or Bantam. Both Cooper's and Sharp-shinned are bird predators, the former is actually called a "chicken hawk" down here (for its striking bantam fowl). However, I see those from time to time, and they do not bother my large fowl. I only have one Bantam hen.

Occasionally, I see a Red-Tailed but I think the Red Shouldered Hawks deter the Red Tailed hawks. When I lived in the city, one time, when I did not have my rooster, a (most likely) Red Tailed killed and ate on the ground a LF hen. I assumed it was a Red tailed just passing through. I also saw Red Tailed hawks catch and eat squirrels within site of my chickens (all large fowl) on several occasions (ignoring my chickens). My point being that not ALL Red Tailed hawks prey on chickens. They have their preferences.

My brother once witnessed a Game Rooster kill a young Red tailed Hawk that was after a hen. In the city I also witnessed my large roosters chasing after a diving Cooper's hawk after my lone Bantam hen -- my Rooster would run at the hawk causing it to fly up. I noticed it was a hungry juvenile and not really a threat to my large fowl).

 

[chic_a_lay]

so, my question is...besides a dog, what can you do to scare off these hawks, or in my case, mexican eagles?
this is the first time i've ever seen them in this area. i wonder if they are just passing thru?
anyway, a large flock has moved onto my farm and are taking my hens, plus, right now, i have many noisy babies to draw them in.
i'm leaving the ladies cooped for now, but, they have to go out some time.

the local mall uses an air cannon to scare away the birds at night
...my daughter suggested a scarecrow, but, does a scarecrow ever really work?

any suggestions as to scare tactics?

 

[centrarchid]

I have seen lots of people try to scare birds with a range of automated systems and scare crows. The birds usually adapt pretty fast. You can be out with them at end of day for short but intense period of free ranging.