Hawk Prevention

[Fishkeeper]

Killing the hawk, in addition to being illegal, won't fix the problem. Another hawk will move into its territory. Besides, it's illegal for a reason, birds of prey are an important part of the ecosystem and keep small pest animals from overpopulating.

Crows probably won't defend your chickens on purpose, but will definitely attack a hawk regardless of what it's doing. You could theoretically train crows to defend your chickens by giving them more treats for that, but they might start manufacturing threats one way or another to get more treats. Crows are little tricksters. Definitely make friends with them- not only is it decent hawk defense, it'll prevent them from chasing you if they nest nearby. You can establish yourself as a Good Human, and they'll remember you, plus they can communicate human facial features to each other. All the local crows will know you're a Good Human. Free passage through crow nest areas as long as you don't make yourself a Bad Human by messing with the nests.

 

[varidgerunner]

Get some asils. They hate hawks.

 

[happyfrenchman]

Asils look pretty bad..... in a good way.

This business about another hawk taking it's place... I have heard that time and again and I would respectfully say it is BS. Then the same people will tell you how endangered they are in the next sentence. Which is it?
Another hawk might take it's place, but it will be another hawk that knows better than to attempt a chicken dinner. Where I am, they are as thick as crows. a A few years ago there were so many the songbirds were decimated. They were bony and mangy. Too many. One flew off when I went out yesterday.... but it has been awhile.

 

[centrarchid]

Each hawk is different. A couple years back I had three Coopers Hawks working barn area, although at different times as they must have issues with each other. Only one went after chickens while other two where after songbirds. One would even sunbath only a few feet from chickens doing the same. During the migration, killing a hawk is not likely to make a difference as you are likely to have another come later whether first is removed or not. When I say hawk, I am referring to Coopers Hawk to be clear. Red-tailed Hawks I much less experience with, in part because they do not like all the cover I provide or the dogs. The Red-shouldered Hawks I flat out like because they have yet to go after chickens and they harass the larger Red-tailed and the repel the Coopers.

 

[lazy gardener]

My nemesis is Northern Goshawk.

 

[centrarchid]

My nemesis is Northern Goshawk.

Differences I implied is also within a species.

 

[cmom]

Here we have most species of hawks. The crows do chase them off but not the other morning. A Red-Tailed hawk. First it tried to take a bath in the shallow bird bath then went to the post to dry off. Sorry the pictures are so poor. I was zooming from my back porch.