Hawk Question

[Hens4Fun]

hawks can kill much bigger than themselves!

My hens free-ranged for two years with no problem. Then a Coopers hawk started hanging around. The hens were good at running for the hedges but one day my large Partridge Rock didn't make it to cover and the hawk broke it's neck in a matter of seconds. I was out there before the hawk could decimate her, but definitely way too late. Then two more hawks started hanging out in our trees.

Now we have a big run and no more free-ranging ... I couldn't handle it. The hawks were a good size, but no where near the size of the hens. Sigh ... don't be fooled

hawks are gonna win.

 

[Toi-toi]

I got hawk problem, too. My chickens are free range and I see hawks in the sky a few times a week.
They didn't take my chickens but I'm so afraid someday they might...
The other day I was in the kitchen and I saw hawk flew really close.
I saw hawk's face, I could draw pretty good picture close, like if I put my hand out I could touch it close.

I hang CD all over the yard. I hope that help...

 

[Flannery Eau]

I just began to have a hawk problem - amazing since I live in St. Louis City. We have a park nearby and 4 blocks down there is a green strip that a pair of Red-tailed Hawks nest in every year. We have had 3 sightings so far. The chickens sound the alarm - but on the last "swoop" the hawk landed on my six-foot fence and so it was obvious they don't need to dive from a great distance to get up enough speed or surprise to kill a chicken. I keep them in their run more often now, and will buy some mylar tape or other prevention packages to try to deter the hawks. I think human and dog presences help - I have a large dog and on the last incident ran out there and scared it away myself. It is very unnerving! I have invested so much now, they are just about to start laying!

 

[kla37]

That is my biggest worry! I have 9 chickens that are 15 weeks old and I really really want to let them out to play! Their run is roofed, but I know they would be so happy running in the yard for at least a couple hours a day! I'm just really scared of the hawks. We live in a heavily wooded area, and I've seen hawks, before I had chickens, hanging out right in the trees in the backyard. Can anyone tell me if the shiny metallic balloons really work? Or if the fake owls will keep them away? My dog is really good with our chickens, so does anyone know if she would keep hawks away just by being outside with the chickens?

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Fake owls don't work. I saw a Cooper's perched on my neighbor's owl last month. That would have been a good pic. I have a Cooper's that visits almost daily. It is completely fearless of me and will take mice, doves, mockingbirds and lizards right in front of me. I haven't seen it attempt to take anything when my dog is in the yard though. Of course my dog thinks it's her job to keep away all birds dove-sized and larger. I saw a stand-off between the dog and the hawk once where the hawk stood on the wall (6') surrounding my property, directly behind the protection of a large cactus, and seemingly taunted her. I think that if you free-range, there is a certain level of risk you have to accept. I don't know if the shiny-stringy objects distributed around the yard would work. Having watched the hawks in my yard, I can't imagine that it would, particularly if you have a large yard. My advice is to only let them out when you are there and be vigilant. Good luck.

 

[kla37]

I just saw a darn hawk on our fence! Before I had chickens they never bothered me, now I really really don't like them!