Hawk Training?

[Rosecoop]

We have 6 two week old chicks in an outside brooder/coop. We live here in central Texas and we also have plenty of hawks! I watched one two days ago cruising over my backyard while we let our girls stretch their legs.

I've read on here about some chickens having "hawk experience". Well, I don't want my girls getting snatched because they're none the wiser. So...I was thinking about "training" them to be aware. I was wondering if it was even possible. I want to try and make a hawk silhouette out of cardboard and passing it over them while they were out of the coop. Of course I plan on trying this without my physical presence, as I don't want them to associate danger with ME, lol. But it does worry me and I would like everyone's thoughts on this before I do something that can't be reversed. Thanks so much!

Mike

 

[the poppster]

We have 6 two week old chicks in an outside brooder/coop. We live here in central Texas and we also have plenty of hawks! I watched one two days ago cruising over my backyard while we let our girls stretch their legs.

I've read on here about some chickens having "hawk experience". Well, I don't want my girls getting snatched because they're none the wiser. So...I was thinking about "training" them to be aware. I was wondering if it was even possible. I want to try and make a hawk silhouette out of cardboard and passing it over them while they were out of the coop. Of course I plan on trying this without my physical presence, as I don't want them to associate danger with ME, lol. But it does worry me and I would like everyone's thoughts on this before I do something that can't be reversed. Thanks so much!

Mike

Hawk training....never heard of that....but could be....take a plastic bag and attach it to a long stick..fly pole...something like that....hold it close to the ground and approach your birds.....then slowly lift it up and pass it over your girls.....they should scatter...seeking out the nearest protection....usually under a bush or tree....a wheel barrow...they will rush back into the coop.......if you have a rooster he will usually keep watch and sound the alarm....to which the girls young and old usually respond to immediately....and run for cover....I think the birds respond by instinct to something flying over by running for cover.....I had a big Emden goose as guard for my flock...and didn't lose a single bird to hawks....Northern Goshawks.....the notorious Chicken Hawk!!! If you can't have a rooster or don't want one around....same goes for the goose...you can give your girls plenty of Bomb Shelters to run to in case of a hawk attack...chairs, tables, bushes,things leaning against a wall to slip behind.....use your imagination...at least it gives them a chance to escape....What kind of hawks do you have to deal with Mike?

 

[Rosecoop]

We have Cooper Hawks mostly seen in our neighborhood, Red-Tailed Hawks and the American Kestrel. Usually see the Cooper Hawks and Kestrels within our suburban area and yard. Not too worried about the Kestrels as my birds will grow quickly and hopefully be less of a target...but the Cooper Hawk is what I'm most worried about! They're larger and I see them more often.

I know it might not be a problem for my chickens, but the thought of them being confined to a run bothers me a little. I want them to have the room to really walk around and explore the yard. Of course, I will not always be there to supervise them when they're grown...this is why I want to prepare them the best I can. Thanks.

 

[Rosecoop]

By the way, thanks a million for the tips Poppster! I can definitely make some shelters for escape. Always looking to get creative, lol. My wife and I are working on a landscape plan for the backyard...can't wait to see what we can come up with to incorporate our girls!

 

[the poppster]

By the way, thanks a million for the tips Poppster! I can definitely make some shelters for escape. Always looking to get creative, lol. My wife and I are working on a landscape plan for the backyard...can't wait to see what we can come up with to incorporate our girls! 

Yer welcome Rose! Hope it helps....the Chicken Hawk will even Run after its prey....if it misses it...they also have a long tail that it uses to maneuver thru the trees after the birds it preys on...pretty bold birds....their usual prey is grouse.

 

[Rosecoop]

Well good luck with those, lol. Best of luck to your flock friend.

Mike