Hawk swoops down over me repeatedly going after my girls.

[basicliving]

Thank you Natalie - I'm glad you found the website of use. I've enjoyed doing it and try to update the blog at least weekly. I certainly wrote about the feather picking/plucking! And I hope it may end up helping someone else in a similar situation - heaven knows I searched all over cyber space looking for help when I needed it.

As for the hawks, I honestly understand how you must feel. I was SO ANGRY over the hawk that tried to get my chickens right in front of me. I do understand that they are looking for food - but I don't want them eating my chickens! I really hope you are right and Nov. will see them migrating out. They sound so agressive. I'm definitely keeping my fingers crossed for you.

It does sound like your chickens are alert enough to find cover before getting attacked. I hope they'll be on high alert for while.

Take care,
Penny

 

[keechoo]

I'm having my fair share of hawk problems today. However, those of you who are complaining of the Red-tailed Hawk, here is a warning I received directly from the Audubon Society which is located down the street from me, they will go after small children! If you see one around, stand next to your child raising your arms making lots of noise or bring the child in. I used to work at a daycarer and we had one that hung out on the fence a good portion of the day. We had to keep the children inside or have someone man the hoses at all times. It was not afraid of us and we had to open other doors to allow the parents and their kids in because it was so menacing. From personal experience, I also found out that the "regular" hawks would slowly fly lower and lower over my kids if I wasn't standing close to them. Last summer, we had 3 hawks circling my then 2 year old son in the backyard. It took both my hubby and I to stand near him for the hawks to give up.

 

[CoopedUpInAZ]

Wow, I just bumped into this thread and I was a little surprised that I'm not the only one with a hawk problem.

I have noticed that a hawk had been hanging around quite a bit around my parakeet coop and I didn't realize right away that he was window shopping my parakeets! I finally figured out what he was up to when after I gave them a bunch of millet sprays hung on the wire mesh and they were all gathered around it eating it. This hawk had come from out of nowhere and actually hit the back of my head as he came right up to the keet cage and hit the wire mesh with open wings. To my astonishment he did a turn in mid air inches in front of me to land in the tree next to my keet cage. I went nuts and screamed for my husband which enlightened me that he was hunting and I was in his way.

Funny thing is that he has not bothered my chickens at all when I let them out. I have been seeing less of him now that it's getting colder but I don't know what to expect now.

I usually like to see wild life but this guy I don't care to see anymore!

 

[the simple life]

Geez, its really crazy when they get that close to you.
They don't seem to be afraid of people at all.
It seems the ones in our area have moved on for winter, I am not looking forward to their return!

 

[CoopedUpInAZ]

Yeah, it really creeps me out. I would never have thought that a bird like that would be that brave. He is so big too and my little white cat likes to sneak outside once in a while so now I really watch her. He could pick her up easy and just fly off.

 

[cmom]

I just lost one of my girls yesterday. It happened when I wasn't home of course. Since it was inside the fence My first thought was hawk.

 

[portlandpeeps]

Quote:
yes i'm quoting myself, but i posted this on another thread yesterday. this was my first encounter with a hawk in our yard. our hens are now spending their days inside.

 

[Cetawin]

Quote:
Not worth the possibility of the fines and jail time better to protect the girls. Harrassing, harming, killing or possessing so much as a feather is a federal crime. Sorry but I disagree with giving the type of advice or opinions that concern committing a federal crime so I had to say something.

 

[Cetawin]

I am sorry you were dive bombed by the hawk, they can get quite brazen in the winter but it was most likely a juvenile. Adults are more cautious usually. Juveniles and yearlings are still a bit stupid of humans and the threat they pose.

Glad your girls are okay.

 

[cmom]

I wonder if shooting hawks etc. with paintballs is illegal. Not to kill but to mark them