Hawk!

[Da chicken farm]

I havent heard a hawk screech before an attack, i mean that really would be a bad sneak attack. But i used to see the hawk fly towards the bushes and the quails scream. When the hawk used to come every morning it was Rooster Bob who really gave them away, he would scream till i came out and he made sure none of the hens or babies would come out, now we have a giant net that we got from farm tec that is anti hawk, i highly suggest it. I would also not convince birds to come by, they are like hawk fodders, my neighbors have a bird feeder and the hawk goes every morning to get his breakfast. Heartily sorry to say, but better the wild birds then my pet chickens. I think a lot of you guys can relate.

 

[bloom_ss]

Before we were completely finished with our fully enclosed run I was standing at my kitchen window looking out over the back yard and I saw a hawk come swooping in lower than the tree tops in my back yard one day. I ran out there as fast as I could to chase it off and then put a big blue tarp over the part of the run that was framed to try and discourage him from returning until we had the run fully enclosed. I swear that hawk had at least a 4 foot wingspan on him. He didn't make a sound either. Since we have finished the run I haven't seen him back here, but the other day I did see several hawks gliding way up high looking for prey about a half mile away.

 

[prairiehen74369]

I think the smell of our birds encourage the hawks to drop by and check things out. I've had two incidents that surprised me at their nerve to stop in. The peacocks and the guineas tell on them and I have shrubs and trees that make swooping down kind of hard to do.The hen that I thought was a victim showed up with a couple of chicks this week.

 

[pjknust]

Quote:
I just got mine today. I only got one coz of the set up of my hen house. The opening faces the west and back of the back yard. So I will place it on the wire that I close up at night facing out back. My dogs keep anything out, but I saw it online and thought it wouldnt hurt to have one.

pam in TX

 

[Chickens_in_a_nutshell]

If you want to protect the biddies against a hawk without locking them up, it'd be good to provide a good amount of places to hide. Bushes and low lying trees work well and it'd also be good to keep them close to the coop. Other things that may work are picnic tables, patio umbrellas, maybe the patio itself if there's enough space underneath.Chickens tend to duck for cover. Hope this helps.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:
Don't know how lights would protect against predators tha thunt during the day.