Hawk!

[Teery]

They say crows work too
Maybe at the halloween store or walmaet

I don't know how well fake ravens will work, but real ones do real well. Always amazes me..I can't figure out why the hawks don't go after them..but they don't... they run (fly) away...

 

[aart]

wind mills, shiny cds, fake owls all visual deterrents won't work long, if at all...don't waste time or money on false hopes and possible loss of hens.

Put up a physical barrier. Good Luck.

 

[johnsonfarm]

We've had a hawk hanging around for about a week, I didn't think of it as my chickens have alot of cover to hide under and my roo is great at sounding the alarm. There are so many small critters around (mice/chipmunks/etc) I figured maybe the hawk would go after them first. But today I noticed the hawk sitting on top of a tree very close and then circling right over the chickens (they free range). So I ran out to scare him off and make sure everyone was still there... sure enough I am missing my smallest bantam hen and one 12 week old chick

I plan to keep everyone in the coop now for a week or so to see if the hawk moves on... otherwise it's time for a covered run. Anyone had a hawk move on after the chickens aren't "available"?

 

[Nambroth]

We've had a hawk hanging around for about a week, I didn't think of it as my chickens have alot of cover to hide under and my roo is great at sounding the alarm. There are so many small critters around (mice/chipmunks/etc) I figured maybe the hawk would go after them first. But today I noticed the hawk sitting on top of a tree very close and then circling right over the chickens (they free range). So I ran out to scare him off and make sure everyone was still there... sure enough I am missing my smallest bantam hen and one 12 week old chick

I plan to keep everyone in the coop now for a week or so to see if the hawk moves on... otherwise it's time for a covered run. Anyone had a hawk move on after the chickens aren't "available"?

Sorry for your loss!

To answer your question-- yes, and no. Hawks can be migratory. Some individuals DO stay behind, but most species will migrate, believe it or not.
They also have vast territories each.. many square miles. Even if the hawk moves on, another may move in at any time, I'm afraid. Unlike terrestrial predators that may have a home range and routine, hawks (except nesting hawks) can and do come and go.

 

[kmollyhughes]

I

We've had a hawk hanging around for about a week, I didn't think of it as my chickens have alot of cover to hide under and my roo is great at sounding the alarm. There are so many small critters around (mice/chipmunks/etc) I figured maybe the hawk would go after them first. But today I noticed the hawk sitting on top of a tree very close and then circling right over the chickens (they free range). So I ran out to scare him off and make sure everyone was still there... sure enough I am missing my smallest bantam hen and one 12 week old chick

I plan to keep everyone in the coop now for a week or so to see if the hawk moves on... otherwise it's time for a covered run. Anyone had a hawk move on after the chickens aren't "available"?

We had a hawk attack one of our Easter Egger girls today. Luckily our largest rooster, a barnyard mutt, immediately ran to her rescue and attacked the hawk. It let her go and flew off, but we watched it fly over a few times until the girls put themselves away. Our 3 oldest roosters, the mutt and two silkies, had eyes glued to the sky the rest of the evening. Good thing Red (the mutt) jumped in today...he saved himself from becoming dinner this fall. No hesitation... Anyway, it was a Coopers Hawk that had flown over a few weeks ago and watched our girls from our large maple trees until my husband spooked it off.......so even if they leave they can always come back as this hawk did.

 

[Veer67]

I
We had a hawk attack one of our Easter Egger girls today. Luckily our largest rooster, a barnyard mutt, immediately ran to her rescue and attacked the hawk. It let her go and flew off, but we watched it fly over a few times until the girls put themselves away. Our 3 oldest roosters, the mutt and two silkies, had eyes glued to the sky the rest of the evening. Good thing Red (the mutt) jumped in today...he saved himself from becoming dinner this fall. No hesitation... Anyway, it was a Coopers Hawk that had flown over a few weeks ago and watched our girls from our large maple trees until my husband spooked it off.......so even if they leave they can always come back as this hawk did.

Yep, every once in awhile I see this hawk sitting in a tree probably spying for chickens.