Hawks everywhere!!

[StephanieRose44]

Hello I live in NY now that the weather is warming up there has been hawks or eagles (maybe both) surrounding my property everyday I let my chickens out and as soon as I go inside for a second to get there food there’s about 5-10 of these things circling swooping down. I already had one hawk attack fortunately my roof only suffered from a minor wound to the earloabe. They were all over the plce and so were my chickens in the neighbors yard in the front yard it was a nightmare I almost had a nervous break down one day I was outside with an umbrella felt like i was the prey. Until i have my run covered I have them in a fenced garden any suggestions as to keeping hawks away ior just keeping Chickens safe until the run is covered?

 

[FluffTheDuck]

Right?! Hawks everywhere, even in my dreams (not kidding, I have nightmares about losing my feathered puppies to hawks)! I have heard crows chase off hawks. @Sandiemouse might know.

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

Allow for plenty of hiding spaces for your chickens when out until you get your run covered. Fishing line doesn’t work as they can swoop between it.

 

[DobieLover]

Right?! Hawks everywhere, even in my dreams (not kidding, I have nightmares about losing my feathered puppies to hawks)! I have heard crows chase off hawks. @Sandiemouse might know.

That they do and I enjoyed watching a pair relentlessly bombard a red tailed hawk last weekend until it flew off. But having a murder of crows at your beck and call is clearly out of the question!

 

[Fishkeeper]

You have 5-10 hawks? Are you sure some of them aren't something else? Hawks don't flock, you don't usually see more than maybe two in the same place.
And yes, if you have hawks, you need a roof.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Try some bird netting (Home Depot) over the top of your run/garden area. I've had doves & wild birds get tangled in it but the hawks seem to be a bit smarter. Between hawks & neighbor's dogs, mine now are confined in their Chicken House .... 8 x 12 x 7 structure, wrapped in chicken wire (no predators like you all have) ... 4BOs and my yard no longer is a booby trap (holes).

 

[tigger19687]

@DobieLover How is your Dobies with Chickens ?

When I buy a farm I would like a dog again. I had Danes 10 years ago and miss them but also have had a Dobie about 20 years ago.
Can't decide which to get.


As for the hens..... What I am doing for now is to get netting that they use for crops (think blueberries etc) and making a tunnel from their covered run to a large area in the front yard. I went back to work this year and they are used to being in the front large yard free ranging while I go in and out of the house. I would like to let them back out but they need to be closed in and protected. Yard is already fenced but I would like to let them hang in their garden area as it is shaded in the afternoon and a great bug spot

 

[IamRainey]

Yup! Once hawks discover the chickens they'll set up a command post just waiting for their chance at them. In my opinion, the only remedy is a generous covered run.

I used to let my chickens out for supervised free ranging but when I saw a hawk waiting on a branch just above their coop I stopped. I'm not sure free ranging is doing the girls any favor if what they need is provided within the safety of the run.

 

[DobieLover]

@DobieLover How is your Dobies with Chickens ?

When I buy a farm I would like a dog again. I had Danes 10 years ago and miss them but also have had a Dobie about 20 years ago.
Can't decide which to get.


As for the hens..... What I am doing for now is to get netting that they use for crops (think blueberries etc) and making a tunnel from their covered run to a large area in the front yard. I went back to work this year and they are used to being in the front large yard free ranging while I go in and out of the house. I would like to let them back out but they need to be closed in and protected. Yard is already fenced but I would like to let them hang in their garden area as it is shaded in the afternoon and a great bug spot

He would eat them with a side of squirrel if I gave him the chance.
I've seen lots of other members here with Dobies happily escorting their flock of chickens around so don't make your decision based on my idiot.

 

[ChickNanny13]

@DobieLover How is your Dobies with Chickens ?
When I buy a farm I would like a dog again. I had Danes 10 years ago and miss them but also have had a Dobie about 20 years ago.
Can't decide which to get.
As for the hens..... What I am doing for now is to get netting that they use for crops (think blueberries etc) and making a tunnel from their covered run to a large area in the front yard. I went back to work this year and they are used to being in the front large yard free ranging while I go in and out of the house. I would like to let them back out but they need to be closed in and protected. Yard is already fenced but I would like to let them hang in their garden area as it is shaded in the afternoon and a great bug spot

Why not one of each ... Dobie & Dane