Quote:
That is not true. Most hawks migrate, and, depending on where you are, he will probably eventually move on. Even if they live there year round, they DO NOT hang around until are your birds are gone, although they may hang around long enough to get a couple more. Most have a big territory and most of the year there is lots of stuff that is easier for them to eat. At least, that has always been our experience, and we have had free range chickens for five years. Hang some old cd's or dvd's, that spin in the wind, and flash. Decorative wind spinners help, too, or metallic fringe. Next time you see the hawk, fire off a few bottle rockets in the air. Not at the hawk, just in the air. Last time we did that, the hawks left and have not been back, that was a month ago. It is true that owls will kill hawks, so a plastic owl is a good idea, too, just move it around once in a while.
PS: just to avoid an argument, I should add that ours do learn how to watch for and avoid the hawks; obviously if yours are in an open pen a hawk might stick around til they're all gone. Our roosters are a big help in warning the flock against predators, including hawks.
Really? Someone needs to tell the hawks around here that, because apparently they don't know that they're ever supposed to leave. I have a hawk sit in one of my trees every single day for the last few years watching those chickens, but thanks for the info.
P.S. I've had free range chickens for longer than you've probably been alive.
That is not true. Most hawks migrate, and, depending on where you are, he will probably eventually move on. Even if they live there year round, they DO NOT hang around until are your birds are gone, although they may hang around long enough to get a couple more. Most have a big territory and most of the year there is lots of stuff that is easier for them to eat. At least, that has always been our experience, and we have had free range chickens for five years. Hang some old cd's or dvd's, that spin in the wind, and flash. Decorative wind spinners help, too, or metallic fringe. Next time you see the hawk, fire off a few bottle rockets in the air. Not at the hawk, just in the air. Last time we did that, the hawks left and have not been back, that was a month ago. It is true that owls will kill hawks, so a plastic owl is a good idea, too, just move it around once in a while.
PS: just to avoid an argument, I should add that ours do learn how to watch for and avoid the hawks; obviously if yours are in an open pen a hawk might stick around til they're all gone. Our roosters are a big help in warning the flock against predators, including hawks.
Really? Someone needs to tell the hawks around here that, because apparently they don't know that they're ever supposed to leave. I have a hawk sit in one of my trees every single day for the last few years watching those chickens, but thanks for the info.
P.S. I've had free range chickens for longer than you've probably been alive.
