Hawks Nesting in our Pecan tree, How do we get rid of them.

[centrarchid]

Kat's Silly Chickens :

Well here's a pic of the hawk, it is on the electric pole out front.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/67650_red-tail_hawk.jpg

It and it's mate flew across the street to our neighbors trees.
@woodmort; We won't cut down that pecan tree it's been in our yard for over 23 years.
Like I said we aren't worried about our chickens, they don't free-range.
But we'll be very cautious when our Chihuahua and Jack Russell are out.
I imaging this pair of hawks have been in our area for a while, we just noticed it on/around our property today.
Thank you for all your suggestions.

Not a threat, red-shouldered hawk. May actually keep more threatening red-tailed hawks away. Red-shouldered also know to form alliances with common crows to defend nest sites.​

 

[woodmort]

Quote:
I wasn't being serious--but once they choose a place that is about the only way to get rid of them. Keep in mind, however, if they have laid eggs and you cut down the tree it is consider harassment and it is a federal crime.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Depending on the species and a bunch of other specifics (that I have read, but it was a couple or three years ago and I don't recall all the details), you may be able to have a falconer acquire the necessary permits and take them.

 

[abChicken]

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[tammyd57]

We have a treeline of Eucalyptus along the back of our property (maybe 30 trees) and about an acre or so of the same trees in a clump on the side. Hawks just love these trees since they are very tall. There are hawks nesting in those trees every year. There are red-shouldered and red-tailed. They have never bothered my chickens, who have an uncovered yard. They have never bothered my dog either and she is a tiny 3 pound chihuahua. I'm not saying they never would, but it isn't likely. They have plenty of squirrels, gophers, voles, mice, lizards and snakes to keep them busy in my back field. If there is plentiful natural prey for hawks they don't usually bother dogs or cats or chickens.
You may not need to get rid of them. Depending where you live, if there is natural prey for them.
It IS illegal to harass or kill hawks. Doing anything to their nest or babies, or even preventing them from nesting would be a Federal crime. So getting rid of them can be tricky. From what I understand, you CAN get a permit to drive them away, and if your attempts at driving them away don't work, you can also get a permit to shoot them. BUT to get the first permit you have to show that they are preying on your livestock. It is worded that way "livestock", not pets such as dogs or cats, so a Chihuahua wouldn't be included. So, legally you can't do anything to them, except keep your animals in secure housing or attended at all times.

 

[BitsyB]

As long as there are squirrels, rats/mice, and wild birds for them to hunt they would not bother a small dog. I used to worry about our chihuahua so I got her some little dog coats to wear (silly I know), thinking that way if they do try to grab her it wouldn't hurt her so much... But it's never happened.

Hawks are very interesting to watch, how they hunt, and care for their young. Plus they keep the rodent population in check...

 

[abChicken]

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[centrarchid]

I am going to write this more clearly.

The hawks nesting in pecan tree are red-shouldered hawks.

They are very unlikely to pursue chickens as food source, especially adult chickens.

As noted by a previous poster, hawks seldom hunt in close proximity to the nest.

Since hawks will be defending the area around the nest site, they will reduce odds other hawks will hunt in immediate vicinity.

 

[ranchhand]

Quote:
And this is clear too. ANY disturbance of a hawk or it's nest is a FEDERAL offense, carrying a heavy fine and jail time as penalties.

 

[6chickens in St. Charles]

I would feel blessed. That looks like a special and somewhat magical bird, a protector of sorts. No doubt it has scoped the area carefully and decided your place is an excellent place to protect.

You must have a great place to live. I've read that hawk-vision is amazing. You should know it's probably been watching you, your family, your birds very carefully and made its decision soundly. I think its a sign that YOU and YOUR HOME are something good; your place is new-home-attractive for very good reasons!