Hawk Problems

[TexasSam]

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?

You can try a large fake owl or eagle those are the only thing that will attack hawks

 

[sylviethecochin]

Actually:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/legal-elimination-of-hawks-and-owls.113482/

 

[sylviethecochin]

https://www.hunker.com/13405899/how-to-get-rid-of-red-tailed-hawks

Personally, I've been to a farm where they had large, fenced runs (organic free-range)--the hawks pulled the younger birds up against the fence and ate nothing but the breast meat. Fenced runs do not seem to do much.

Have you tried encouraging your local crow population?

 

[mortorffsquail]

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

@centrarchid how is it part of my problem? Even though it is, you do not have to state the obvious. I am just looking for a solution even though I have many of these safeguards in place other than keeping them indoors all day and/or making a run for them( which I do not have the money or time to create a run).

 

[mortorffsquail]

You can try a large fake owl or eagle those are the only thing that will attack hawks

Thanks @TexasSam

 

[AllenK RGV]

You can try a large fake owl or eagle those are the only thing that will attack hawks

C'mon Tex haven't you ever seen mockingbirds chasing hawks and owls off for being in their territory. We have a couple of mockingbird nests on the property from spring until oh about September. I pity the grackle that messes with them, but I laugh at my old cat when he forgets not to chase the mockingbirds. I would also pity the hawk that lands to roost in one of my trees during their breeding season.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

Having chickens around and a hawk problem comes hand and hand. We all take that risk. Nothing anybody can do about it. Except cover your run or lock them up until migration season is over. Uncle Sam has a nasty axe to grind with people who attempt to eliminate any raptor. They are an endangered species or at the least protected species. WE ALL DEAL WITH IT, unless you don't raise poultry..
Lock up your birds. They will leave.. with a mouse in their belly, not your pullet.
Here is Hubby filming a hungry hawk stalking my flock...

Lock up those chickens, stay out of jail... good luck & best regards..
Connie Jane

 

[TexasSam]

C'mon Tex haven't you ever seen mockingbirds chasing hawks and owls off for being in their territory. We have a couple of mockingbird nests on the property from spring until oh about September. I pity the grackle that messes with them, but I laugh at my old cat when he forgets not to chase the mockingbirds. I would also pity the hawk that lands to roost in one of my trees during their breeding season.

Sure I've also seen crows and blue jays do the same thing but great horned owls and eagles are a hawks only natural predator

 

[centrarchid]

@centrarchid how is it part of my problem? Even though it is, you do not have to state the obvious. I am just looking for a solution even though I have many of these safeguards in place other than keeping them indoors all day and/or making a run for them( which I do not have the money or time to create a run).

I did not state obvious. You are jumping gun wasting the time of many by not providing key details about circumstances around loss of chickens.

Specifically, you did not answer my question. Unless you actually saw hawk pack off birds lost, it is not a hawk. An adult standard sized hen of breeds you lost can not be packed off by any raptors short of an eagle. That would mean you are barking up wrong tree with respect to what predator species is involved. I am betting your predator barks or at least yips.

 

[TexasSam]

A hawk can't carry a grown chicken this is true a very large owl or eagle can. You might think about raccoon or fox even bobcats