Hawk Predation

[IttyBiddyRedHen]

I second the rooster vote. I have 5 adult roos to protect my flock. I always try to keep two out with the free rangers..and they have done excellent at alerting for hawks. One of my breeding pairs, were hawk attacked 2 years ago on Thanksgiving. I thought i had lost them both. They both had injuries, but survived and are doing fine. They don't like free ranging alone anymore. They will voluntarily go into their chicken tractor if that roo or one of the other roos sounds an alert.
Oh, and this one roo did fight off the hawk. I found him hiding way up in the rafters of his chicken tractor.

 

[Cindy in PA]

Its permissible to shoot hawks and other raptors if they're "in the act of molesting livestock or poultry"..... At least it is in Va., W.Va, Utah, Okla. and a few other states I believe. Although a covered coop and the availability of other protection such as shrubs and bushes would reduce many losses.

Hawks & Migratory birds are federally protected & it is illegal to shoot them. Many other predators are also protected & most have a season. The old cry "you can shoot predators that are after your livestock" is not true in all cases either. Many places it is only legal to shoot foxes etc. if you make a living off your livestock. Then in some places you can take them in season, but must have a hunting or furbearers license etc. Not saying what anyone should do, but in many cases it is illegal.

 

[KGreene]

I have obtained permission on several occasions in past years to destroy raptors molesting livestock. Gawildlife is correct, and I neglected to include that rather PERTINENT bit of information..... One must first obtain the permit from DGIF, and then may be taken when in the "act of molesting livestock or poultry".

 

[CliffB]

I can completely understand your plight.

 

[The Colonel]

I can completely understand your plight.

Makes me sick just to see a picture like that.

 

[CliffB]

The chicks were terrified. Didn't come out of the coop until i got home and hung out with them in the run.

 

[The Colonel]

The chicks were terrified. Didn't come out of the coop until i got home and hung out with them in the run.

Mine have never enjoyed any kind of predatory presence, but IMO the flying kind is at the top of the list. If they get through all the fences, into the run, and somehow into the locked coop, that's one thing. But coming from above us is a completely different story.

 

[centrarchid]

Interesting that a state level Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has the authority to supersede federal laws, especially where the process has occurred repeatedly to protect what is very likely a backyard flock. What state and officials involved?

 

[chesapeakechickens]

Interesting that a state level Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has the authority to supersede federal laws, especially where the process has occurred repeatedly to protect what is very likely a backyard flock. What state and officials involved?

THIS IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE AND I AM NOT A LAWYER.

These are just my observations and understandings from numerous phone calls and emails to government officials today. I just spend a good portion of today nailing down the details on this very topic. In our state (Maryland) it is not considered a crime by the state authorities to defend your livestock or crops from a nuisance predator. The state DNR police told me that they do not even investigate or prosecute these cases at all. They actually didn't even know how to advise me and referred me to Fish and Wildlife instead. This is even stated very clearly in the State regulations.

http://www.lawserver.com/law/state/maryland/md-laws/maryland_laws_natural_resources-10-401

(b) Unless prohibited by federal law, this section does not prohibit a landowner or his agent from shooting hawks or owls when considered necessary to protect poultry or game birds or mammals on the landowner’s property from destruction. In addition, this section does not prohibit the Department from controlling birds or mammals which have become obnoxious in nature or habit or are damaging wildlife on any lands in the State.


HOWEVER, it is still a federal crime to harm, hunt, pursue, injure, possess, etc, any migratory bird (this includes all birds of prey) without a permit. There is a permit available for killing a nuisance predatory bird called a 50 CFR. There are many restrictions and a significant cost involved. Additionally, my impression was that no hobby farm or suburban flock could hope to meet the standard required to have one issued. (This was simply my impression from the conversation, it was not actually stated explicitly) There is also a provision in the federal statute that allows for the "scaring" of these birds without any permitting or permission. I was actually calling to get some guidance on that particular issue. They told me that anything that does not physically harm the bird is permissible. Electric fencing, electric perches, fireworks, noise makers, motion sensing sprinklers, protective animals, netting, wire perching deterrents, were all discussed without any concerns from the official.

Please do your own research as I am just an idiot mechanic and the federal penalties are substantial for this infraction. They include significant prison time (of course in federal prison, not your local jail) and 10s of thousands in fines plus forfeiture of any materials used in the commission (your car, your gun, your house). This is just my own experience in my own state.

Andy

 

[WthrLady]

Nebraska....
Do not do anything to harm or injure birds of prey. Even if they are in the middle of your flock. Shooing them, yelling/waving your arms and screaming is it.