Hawk threat

[Jessd0911]

I just discovered a coolers hawk nest in my back yard area. I’ve seen them mate twice today so I’m sure they’re building the nest and having babies. How much concern should I have? Will they stay for long? I always give my girls about an hour of free range time each night. Should I stop this? Tell me what I need to know please and thank you!!

 

[theoldchick]

That's a good reason to keep them up. You might consider constructing and outdoor chicken run with a roof for your chickens. I also have hawks that nest nearby and while they do eye my cooped chickens they do a great job on rodent control.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

They will stay at least until the nestlings mature enough to successfully leave the nest. They will need plenty of meat once the eggs hatch so yes, keep your chickens confined and protected.

 

[ABQ chicken keeper]

I just discovered a coolers hawk nest in my back yard area. I’ve seen them mate twice today so I’m sure they’re building the nest and having babies. How much concern should I have? Will they stay for long? I always give my girls about an hour of free range time each night. Should I stop this? Tell me what I need to know please and thank you!!

I assume you mean "Coopers Hawk"?

 

[Jessd0911]

I assume you mean "Coopers Hawk"?

Sorry yes. Phone changed it lol

 

[Jessd0911]

That's a good reason to keep them up. You might consider constructing and outdoor chicken run with a roof for your chickens. I also have hawks that nest nearby and while they do eye my cooped chickens they do a great job on rodent control.

We have a safe run but it’s dirt and I love having an hour of free time with them in the evenings. It’s my time I look forward to all day. This is so sad for me and my girls!

 

[ABQ chicken keeper]

We have a safe run but it’s dirt and I love having an hour of free time with them in the evenings. It’s my time I look forward to all day. This is so sad for me and my girls!

Coopers hawk are not big enough to carry an adult chicken, a pigeon yes. In town (ABQ) the hawks hunt pigeons and do a great job of keeping the pigeons off guard and on the move. I would continue to let your chicken enjoy their "hour of free time" as long as you are with them.

 

[Ezana4CE]

I just discovered a coolers hawk nest in my back yard area. I’ve seen them mate twice today so I’m sure they’re building the nest and having babies. How much concern should I have? Will they stay for long? I always give my girls about an hour of free range time each night. Should I stop this? Tell me what I need to know please and thank you!!

@Jessd0911 I'm not familiar with Cooper's hawks, but red-shouldered hawks are the resident raptors that dominate the daytime skies in my region. I hear them screaming just about everyday. I see them frequently enough. I have not had any attack my chickens. My chickens like to stick to th the shade of trees or hedges most of the time. They warn one another of just about anything they see that is airborne, it could be a frisbee or a woodpecker. I would think yours should be ok if your hawks operate as our do in East Texas and if your chickens have good instincts. I guess there are enough squirrels and rabbits for the hawks around here to not worry much about the chickens. We also have an abundance of crows. Hawks and crows battle frequently enough. In sum, if any of this sounds like familiar behavior, the hawks haven't posed a risk for you or anyone that you know with chickens, I'd keep an eye out but I wouldn't be overly concerned about them. After looking them up, I'd say your concern is valid and being overly cautious beats being unprepared.

 

[urlocalcrazychickenlady]

I have lost 10 hens to hawks… hopeful the best decision we’ve made is adding roosters to the flock! I understand some ppl aren’t able to, but mine definitely have fulfilled their purpose and I haven’t had a hawk attack in over a year and I’ve had countless hawks flying by and I’ve seen them in nearby trees. If you can get a rooster, I highly recommend!

 

[Ezana4CE]

I have lost 10 hens to hawks… hopeful the best decision we’ve made is adding roosters to the flock! I understand some ppl aren’t able to, but mine definitely have fulfilled their purpose and I haven’t had a hawk attack in over a year and I’ve had countless hawks flying by and I’ve seen them in nearby trees. If you can get a rooster, I highly recommend!

I hadn't thought of the presence of roosters as a deterrent to hawks. I have a few of them. Thanks for mentioning that.