Hawk threat

[WhatsUpDuck]

We've had 1 hawk attack so far, and thank God that our dogs were outside! Our grown dog actually chased it off. It got away from her, but it has not returned. I will say our two roosters at the time were guarding their hens while the dog attacked! The main roo in the run ran his girls into the coop while the free range rooster was guarding the gate. They were NOT going to stand down! Really the only way to not have any aerial attacks is having a roof/netting for them to stay under. It is a risk when they are free ranging, but they are fast and know naturally to run for cover and away. If you have chicks or young pullets they are more likely to get taken.

 

[TinyChickin]

We have red tailed hawks where I live, and I've lost a lot of chickens to them over the years. A good rooster will deter them, as will a goose, but they might still hunt your flock. I've found that tying up sparkly streamers (my chicken yard looks like a disco party it's hilarious) seems to keep them away. Plus I have a fake owl that i move every few days.

Coopers hawk are not big enough to carry an adult chicken

Hawks don't always carry a chicken off, I've found bodies in my chicken yard that were definitely killed by hawks. Not trying to be discouraging at all (the more free range the better) just trying to share my experience and what works for me down here in south TN