Hawk swoops down over me repeatedly going after my girls.

[crzychickenlady]

I'm just wondering here....If the hawks were attacking small dogs or cats, or even swooping over small children (which they do!)....would SSS be ok then??
It is ok to kill rats, mice, moles, etc, etc.

It's such a touchy subject here when it comes to chickens, as if they mean less than a dog, cat or even child.

I am the crazy chicken lady and to me, my chickens are my children and I protect them in any way I see fit, just as I would any other family pet or child.

 

[SpottedCrow]

Holy Sheepdip, Nat!!!
I know how you feel...
Nothing better than a faceful of hawk to get that adrenaline going...

I like the hose idea...

 

[Clay In Iowa]

Quote:
How bout a tater cannon..

 

[the1much]

Quote:
How bout a tater cannon..

lol

but by law,,, even if the hawk is after your dog, your not suppose to do anything, on the children im not sure,, thats why when it comes to protecting YOUR things,, i say *^#@ the law.

 

[Clay In Iowa]

So no to the tater cannon... Bummer... And I was going to ask if you wanted fries with your red tail.

 

[FlightsofFancy]

In our area.....North Atlanta suburb.......once an animal is a confirmed pet killer it is "all bets are off!" No laws will protect it. This particular Hawk that ate my chicken baby came after ME on several occasions. I really wanted to "off it", but my husband wouldn't let me.
So really!!!! BOTTLE ROCKETS!!!!!!! They work!!! And it is ok to use them to run off any birds eating your fruit trees or pooping on your deck......totally within the LAW!
Bottle rockets are good for that local dog that pees on your rose bushes, too.
Bwhahahahahahaha!

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

The other day I looked outside and on top of my pen was a hawk or falcon, couldnt tell. It was sitting on top of the pen, and staring them down. I keep my runs covered, and when they freerange, I let the geese out with them. The geese do a great job at keeping hawks/falcons away. I suggest getting a goose.

Good Luck.

 

[AngieChick]

Quote:
It would still not be okay under the law. How you handle this law, like any other law, is entirely up to you.

I do love my chickens as much as my dogs, however for me I try to take a world view more than just my insular little world. Raptors have been deemed ecologically important enough to warrant federal protection for many years (with serious fines and possible jail time, and in many countries other than the US). To me, of course my animals are more important than a raptor, or any other wildlife, but in the big scheme? Things just aren't that simple. Again, it being okay is really subjective (as we've seen on this topic and many others). But under the law in the US, not so much.

 

[basicliving]

Natalie - you've been so supportive of me and I appreciate it more than you know. I was just shocked when I wandered into this forum and read this thread. I just can't imagine how scary all this has been for you. One of the reasons I was so reluctant to free range is because we had a hawk come down on our chicks when they were much smaller - and when we were just 10 feet away! I saw it out of the corner of my eye and lunged at it, screaming like a wild woman. The hawk left, with nothing. But it scared me half to death. Until our recent "drama" with the tail picking/plucking, I had NO desire to free range them.

I wish I had some advise. That hawk sounds determined and as if nothing will deter it. Sounds like that hawk needs to go.... but I didn't say that.

Take care and best of luck,
Penny

 

[the simple life]

Thank you Penny, you are very sweet. I do love to let my girls free range and I think they are a happier and more content flock because of it, its just so fruatrating when you have to worry about them so much in your own backyard.
I am home most of the day so I find things to do out there so that I can keep an eye on them, but even so that hawk has no fear of me. Its really crazy.
I have heard that they are migrating right now and by the end of November they should all be gone, I can only hope.
By the way penny, I checked out your website the other day and its wonderful, I wanted to send you a message to let you know that.
The beeswax lesson was very helpful to me.
Thanks again.