Hawk stalking chickens! Help!

[Hens rule]

Oh so yesterday I was out sitting with my chickens and than I noticed they where all staying really still but moving slowing under some tall grass. I went over to look at what they where looking at and there was a hawk in a branch 15 feet into one of my trees.
A few seconds after it saw me it flew into one of my neighbor's trees about 100 feet away. My brother said he saw one in a tree before that 10 minutes before that.
My chickens where free ranging during all of this. I stayed out with my chickens because of this. Maybe 5 or 10 minutes later a few of my chickens who where under a tall tree got all weird again, I went over and the hawk was once again watching my chickens from a close low brach and when It saw me it flew to a tree about 200 feet away. That's when I grabbed my bb gun and sat out with my hens incase it came back. I did see it but it was flying far away around a near by neighbors yard, after that I didn't see it, btw that was yesterday.

And today I cant be outside with my hens until around 3 pm, if they don't freerange will they be okay.
This hawk was huge, had a wing span of like 3 feet, but it hasn't attacked yet. Also there is trees the hawk can go in and watch my chickens even if they are not tree ranging.

 

[Hens rule]

Anyone?

 

[SunHwaKwon]

Yes they will be okay, assuming your run is big enough.

 

[Hens rule]

Thanks for your responce. They are in an outdoor fenced off area.

 

[CluckerCottage]

Yes, your birds will be fine if they don't get their free range time today. It may be for the best anyway.
I'd be very wary of those hawks. They won't just "go away", as they know a food source is readily available.
It's not a matter of "if" they will attack, it's "when".

You stated, "Also there is trees the hawk can go in and watch my chickens even if they are not tree ranging".
Since this is the case, I would recommend that you cover their fenced-in area with hardware cloth immediately.
Hawks watching your chickens will turn to snatching. Would hate to see you lose them.

Also, think twice before shooting birds of prey, it is illegal in most states. As much as you want to blast that hawk with a BB gun or any other gun, please don't. Harassment (running at them, yelling at them), etc. is also illegal.

Best wishes,
CluckerCottage

 

[MamaCianc]

My hens were just attacked. I was outside but across the yard. They made it to safety under some pines. I heard them squawking and turned to see the hawk flying away.
This is our first attack since getting the chickens a month ago (they came with the house we moved into).
I am now on a chair next to the pines. Each time I walk away they squawk. I had no idea they would want me here for comfort like a dog would! I moved their waterer and some mealworms into the trees for them.
I am now nervous as I usually let them free range dawn-dusk whether I am around or not. I don't see the hawk now but we have many tall trees in our yard.
I also wondered about a BB gun. Didn't occur to me that even chasing the hawk would be illegal! I did yell at it as I ran to check on my girls.
So glad to be home sick today to be here to comfort them!

 

[carlf]

Hens Rule, I assume your run has a top on it?
If so, the hens will be fine not free-ranging. When I go on vacation, mine don't free range for a week or so.
Just make sure you have plenty of room in the run. Its better to pen them up and watch them die one by one.


Mamacanc, chasing the hawk away is not illegal under federal law, shooting it without a depredation permit is illegal under federal law..

 

[Folly's place]

When a hawk visits, keep your flock in their safe coop and run for a week or three, until that bird gives up and leaves. Hawks may take a bird every three days or so, and keeping your flock protected for at least a week or ten days is the best thing to do. Mary

 

[nsscchd]

Chalk it up to luck, I haven't had a hawk attack in three years of 100% free range. Well last month I drove in the yard and there was a hawk eating a 12 week old. Very discouraging. Now I keep them in the run and do supervised free range when I am out in the evening. Hopefully it moves on because I have mature windbreak on three sides. Perfect hawk cover. I won't give up the trees though for protection from those blizzards.

 

[Hens rule]

My run does have a top. But if I locked my chickens in that area they would be crowded especially since it's warm out still. (They usually only hang out in the run in the winter.)

I've had chickens for 5 1/2 years and this is the first time I've seen a hawk watching my chickens.

The area where my chickens are locked up when not free ranging is about 1/3 of an acre of semi wooded land. If I tie fishing line back and forth like a cover would it stop the hawk from being able to get them?