Hawk Problems

[mortorffsquail]

Hello, I have been having problems with a hawk swooping by and picking off my beloved chickens that I raised since they were little peeps. This flock I have is one of my best flocks yet with diverse breeds such as wellsummers, cuckoo marans, buff orpingtons, and highland browns. They are a very docile flock and they have produced the most for me out of all the flocks I have raised. Any suggestions on how to deter this hawk from feasting on my precious flock?

 

[ChattyChickens4Life]

Hawks are bothersome, aren't they? There really isn't a way to stop the hawks except for getting a run. You can, however, protect your chickens by giving them many places to hide, or even getting a rooster to protect your girls. Good luck!

-Chatty

 

[mortorffsquail]

I have two roosters, several gooses, and yet the hawk tries and succeeds most of the time. I have a few places to have them hide but it is still frustrating. @ChattyChickens4Life

 

[guineapeeps]

Hello, I have been having problems with a hawk swooping by and picking off my beloved chickens that I raised since they were little peeps. This flock I have is one of my best flocks yet with diverse breeds such as wellsummers, cuckoo marans, buff orpingtons, and highland browns. They are a very docile flock and they have produced the most for me out of all the flocks I have raised. Any suggestions on how to deter this hawk from feasting on my precious flock?

Have you thought of getting guinea fowl? They are not for everyone, but they make great watchdogs and and are very loud alarm systems. I swear mine could sense predators before they came anywhere near my property. I had a problem with hawks and eagles and before I would even see them, the guineas would sound the alarm and everyone would run for cover. Even the wild birds and rabbits in the area hung out near my coop because they knew they would have a forewarning for predators.

 

[mortorffsquail]

@guineapeeps I have one guinea in my flock.

 

[guineapeeps]

@guineapeeps I have one guinea in my flock.

Maybe you need more! As they say, “the more the merrier”
(And louder)!

 

[mortorffsquail]

@guineapeeps I do have a neighbor that lives close by the acre lot I have my animals on and they are city slickers so I am not sure about getting more of them without them complaining to the township I live in.

 

[song of joy]

Any suggestions on how to deter this hawk from feasting on my precious flock?

In many parts of the United States, spring and fall are periods of hawk migration, which increases the threat to the flock. As you've noticed, roosters may be helpful, but only if they're really vigilant and the flock has lots of hiding places. Even with these safeguards, I usually lose one or two hens to hawks each year. When hawks are really persistent, the very best defense is to confine the flock to a covered run. After a hawk has already taken a hen or two, it will stay nearby as it has learned that food is easy to come by. The hawk may decide to move on, but only after it's been unsuccessful in taking additional chickens. Again, this means keeping the flock confined in a covered run.

 

[guineapeeps]

@guineapeeps I do have a neighbor that lives close by the acre lot I have my animals on and they are city slickers so I am not sure about getting more of them without them complaining to the township I live in.

Yeah, more guineas are probably not a good idea, then!
I know a lot of people on here have had similar problems so you may try searching the threads in here and see what others have done. Also, I found some articles here on BYC that might be helpful:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threadloom/search?query=hawks&tab=620

Good luck!

 

[centrarchid]

Hello, I have been having problems with a hawk swooping by and picking off my beloved chickens that I raised since they were little peeps. This flock I have is one of my best flocks yet with diverse breeds such as wellsummers, cuckoo marans, buff orpingtons, and highland browns. They are a very docile flock and they have produced the most for me out of all the flocks I have raised. Any suggestions on how to deter this hawk from feasting on my precious flock?

Hawk flying off with adult hens? If answer is yes, then that is part of your problem.