Hawks getting my chickens

[Aunt Angus]

I'm creating a secondary penned area under deep tree cover so they get more time out of their run.

I might do the same. I can add another 50 sq ft or so before I run into obstacles. I may do that in a couple of weeks when I have more time.

 

[NewChickenmama06]

I am afraid to put my chicks out in the coop in a few weeks because of increased hawk activity in my yard. We have a coop and ok sized run, but was really hoping to let them free range.
I am glad I found this post because I got some decent ideas now on how to possibly deter the hawks.

 

[ironsightfarm]

I've not lost one to a hawk (yet), but I've noticed a dramatic increase in hawk activity the past couple of weeks. I've decided to keep my girls - I only have 4 - penned for now. I am considering making a large netted area adjacent to their run (just posts with netting attached) until the hawks go away once breeding season is over. I have trees and bushes and other cover available, but that's not always super effective against Cooper's hawks, who are built for hunting in and under trees. I had two Cooper's in my eucalyptus yesterday!


My run is 113 sq feet with lots of fun stuff for them, but they do love free ranging. I feel bad for them, but I'd feel a lot worse if I lost one.

I have Cooper's Hawks as well so I'm following this post - I just created one the other day with suggestions for my run. 3/4 of the perimeter is trees and shrubs which is great for cover, but not when dealing with hunter's of a Cooper's skill level!

 

[Aunt Angus]

I have Cooper's Hawks as well so I'm following this post - I just created one the other day with suggestions for my run. 3/4 of the perimeter is trees and shrubs which is great for cover, but not when dealing with hunter's of a Cooper's skill level!

I got a better look at them the other day, and they are actually Red Shouldered Hawks. Not great, but better than Cooper's IMO. I keep hearing bird netting or something similar - not really feasible in my large chicken yard. I hope I find a solution soon, or I hope the darn things are just migrating. I have a sinking feeling that they are nesting nearby...

Good luck!