hawk

[chickbird]

for those of you who free range your chickens, what do you do for hawks??? i have one that has killed 4 of my chickens? thanks

 

[Kittymomma]

What kind of area are they free ranging in? Mine have a lot of bushes and trees to get under, a few trailers (stock and car) and access to the barn. I've read about people who have more open areas providing some scattered structure and stringing fishing line and/or cd's around the area. In my case it also helps that my dog now runs out anytime she hears the roos alarm call and not only chases land predators off she's also taken to harrassing the hawks.

 

[Iowa Roo Mom]

I free range while I am outside with them, and have tons of shelter around, bushes, shrubs, a vehicle, a garage that is usually open, and access to their coop of course. I have hawks around, but I think the natural prey sources are stable, so they have not bothered my birds... yet.

 

[Mattemma]

I am a hen herder and stay with my girls.I also have cd's hanging and red mylar ribbons.All that and your presence will not deter a very hungry hawk from what I have read here. I now have crows that chase the hawk,but the crow-calls ALL DAY LONG are very annoying.

 

[gsim]

Quote:

Same here, but when I look out at my 24 chooks peacefully going about their business of making eggs for me, I have learned to love it.

 

[newchickengirl]

My chickens are let out in the morning and locked up at night. Ive got about 66 acres with no specific run for them and the only option I have is to hang up cd's, metal pie pans, and a grt pry who patrols the vicinity. I refuse to keep them in a run and such because I feel it is better for them to free range but I love them as well. I have also put areas of "cover" sort of speak. They run under patio furniture, porches, old tractors, plywood and all sorts of things. I havent lost any since october but Im sure hawks may still be able to get them but not as fast. I used to have almost fifty and now have only 30. I lost almost twenty in two months before the precautions. Good luck to you. Also make sure you have roosters and maybe some guineas. The roosters make the call and the guineas learn to investigate and alarm as well. My dog has picked up on there calls and comes running every time.

P.s I forgot to add that in the last two weeks I have a trio of red tails in My area and as far as I know My ways are working.

 

[tdgill]

Our roosters trained us and the dog with their alarms. I point to the sky and get the dog going. Now, the dog will run around and around barking up at the sky, crows, hawks buzzards whatever. My backyard is mostly open but the birds have plenty of places run and hide - which they do. I was thinking that the openess makes it easier for the chickens to spot the predators so they can scoot under something... as opposed to a wooded yard where hawks can sit in the trees more sneaky like. Some one might be able to input on this theory before you move your free ranging to a more open part of the yard, but in my situation as long as they have their rooster, and a place to get to quick and hide, I prefer it being more open. I just think they can spot the hawks easier. I have some lattice work leaning against the fence that they like to go under, and a hinged framed lattice that makes like a tunnel they go under to get across the middle of the yard. I also have 3 cats, don't know if they help or not

 

[Eggofarms]

We just lost a hen this afternoon to a hawk. Our first in 4 years. We have had our dog kill one, a snake got an older chick. Happened to look on the cameras today and saw a hawk standing on top of the hen feasting. They are in our wooded area. This hawk chased the hen down into the actual run area and got her :-(

Maybe it's time for a rooster. I just don't know how the neighbors will take the crowing.

Wish the hawk would have taken one of the many squirrels who like to go into the run and eat our chicken feed. Hens are locked up for a week or two and the squirrels are already having a fit.