Hawk won't move on

[McChooky]

That's the thing though. They haven't free ranged since February 5th. It's been 6 weeks now since any of my birds have been running around. That's the reason for this post. The regular obvious things have been done and it continues to harass my birds. Thank you for the reply, but that's been done and the reason I'm looking for more information

We have a landfill nearby so our area is predator heavy with owls,hawks and vultures.

 

[GreenMtnVT]

We had the same problem when we first got chickens. Sometimes two attacks a day, but I don’t remember how many we lost in total. There were Red tailed hawks and Cooper, almost like they had shift changes. It was stressful for everyone. We tried keeping them inside for a few weeks and thought the hawks moved on, but the attacks started again days after they were let out. We bought tons of shiny owls, discs with bells and ribbon tape, and just littered the yard with them- it looked like a child’s birthday party in the backyard, but that didn’t deter them either. Our last resort was trying what we read about ‘air-dancers’ and how some farmers use them. We put a 6ft dancer near the coop and just waited. The chickens free-range all around it and aren’t at all bothered, but the hawks circle, fly high over sometimes, but never land. It has been two years now with zero attacks. I recommend trying one out if all else fails!

 

[HeatherKellyB]

We had the same problem when we first got chickens. Sometimes two attacks a day, but I don’t remember how many we lost in total. There were Red tailed hawks and Cooper, almost like they had shift changes. It was stressful for everyone. We tried keeping them inside for a few weeks and thought the hawks moved on, but the attacks started again days after they were let out. We bought tons of shiny owls, discs with bells and ribbon tape, and just littered the yard with them- it looked like a child’s birthday party in the backyard, but that didn’t deter them either. Our last resort was trying what we read about ‘air-dancers’ and how some farmers use them. We put a 6ft dancer near the coop and just waited. The chickens free-range all around it and aren’t at all bothered, but the hawks circle, fly high over sometimes, but never land. It has been two years now with zero attacks. I recommend trying one out if all else fails!

Well, that's interesting! Thank you. Do you still use the air dancers? I have always noticed the hawks flying over but haven't ever been bothered by any until this year. I need to look into this. Thanks again!

 

[Folly's place]

@GreenMtnVT has pictures on the thread about this gadget, funny and apparently very useful.
I haven't had a hawk that determined here, ever. Maybe the successes it had at the neighbors encouraged it to stick around so long.
Mary
Mary

 

[McChooky]

The likelihood of it going very far for long isn't likely after its killed the neighbors .
I recommend you build them a chicken tractor to prevent losses and increase the amount of freedom they have sorry.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

The likelihood of it going very far for long isn't likely after its killed the neighbors .
I recommend you build them a chicken tractor to prevent losses and increase the amount of freedom they have sorry.

What would be the point of building a tractor though? I can't figure out how a tractor will keep this hawk from flying down to the ground to harass my birds or make this hawk move along. Free ranging is NOT why I made this post. The hawk is flying down and landing on the ground to harass and try to get my birds that are locked up (and have been locked up for the past 6 weeks+) and they're injuring themselves in an effort of escaping their worst nightmare right there in their face. Freedom is the least of my concerns right now.

 

[MotherofOrpies]

In Austria, they use goats to keep hawks away, their movement is supposed to be so irritating for the hawk, it can’t concentrate on its prey ( that is what they say, anyways) there is a video on youtube where a goat comes to the rescue . A chicken being attacked by a bird of prey…

 

[HeatherKellyB]

In Austria, they use goats to keep hawks away, their movement is supposed to be so irritating for the hawk, it can’t concentrate on its prey ( that is what they say, anyways) there is a video on youtube where a goat comes to the rescue . A chicken being attacked by a bird of prey…

Wow! I'm not sure if I'm just overly tired or what, but that was so touching That was an incredible video with an amazing ending. Thank you for sharing that. Unfortunately I don't think I can add goats right now, but I certainly want to

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

Hi Heather. I heard my "neighborhood" female redtail hawk call out nearby this morn, and have been meaning to ask if "your" nuisance hawk is still hanging around your pens?

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Hi Heather. I heard my "neighborhood" female redtail hawk call out nearby this morn, and have been meaning to ask if "your" nuisance hawk is still hanging around your pens?

HI! Thank you for asking. That brave juvenile hawk that was harassing my birds hasn't been around lately, thank the Lord! I still see hawks overhead and hear them all the time but hopefully the chronic harrasser wised up or moved on I did see a hawk chasing one of the wild Mallard Drakes that hangs out here (wasn't successful) and then I noticed one of the wild goslings missing That's been a couple of weeks ago and I haven't noticed anything since. I'm not sure the hawk got a gosling either because they go across the road before sunset every evening and walk back across the road back here the next morning. So I'm not sure what happened and it's been weeks. Again I appreciate you asking and your kind words when I started this thread