Hawks

[taprock]

Has anyone found anything that helps to keep hawks away? I know the safest way is keep the chickens in but that defeats the free range idea. I'm just looking for anything to give the chickens a fighting chance.

 

[Sjisty]

If you free range, you just have to take your chances. The hawks don't bother my adult chickens and I wait with my younger ones until the sun has been up for a while and then put them to bed early, so they aren't out during the morning and late afternoon, which are when hawks seem to be the most active around here.

 

[carolinagirl58]

Many people have had good luck using livestock guardian dogs for hawks. I think it's kind of a crap shoot though. The dog has to recognize threats from above but most LGDs learn to do that.

 

[Agent1611]

I've seen advertisements for these little "vests" that the chickens can wear that supposedly deter the hawks. Does anyone know if those really work? It seems a bit cumbersome to have to dress your chickens.

 

[taprock]

I was told that hanging cd and pie plates would help. Any one actually try it?

 

[Bi0s]

also what helps have bushes lawn chairs etc stuff they can run and hide under from the hawks it helps some

 

[chicmom]

We do have hawks around where I live too. What I basically did was, keep an eye out and watch the timing of the hawks.....They seem to be on a schedule.....or routine, I should say.

Anyhow, I discovered that (with losing two hens to hawks), the attacks occurred in the morning, before noon. So I usually kept my hens in until around 3pm at least. Haven't seen any hawks for a while now........

I did read something where, you could use some string and some CDs or aluminum pie plates and go from tree to tree with the string....But that really seems like it would be impossible to cover all the area if you free range......

 

[flowergirl60]

Quote:
I've got the pie plates and a Owl decoy and so far not one problem with hawks.

 

[jenni22776rn]

I have 2 hawks and an eagles that I caught circling this weekend...all of a sudden We heard the crows going crazy...within a few minutes the crows starting dive bombing the hawks then later the eagle...so I now put bird feeder out that the crows will come and eat...not sure if you have crows...but they kept both of those guys away from my yard and chickens....we will see if it works...but it did for me this weekend...good luck!

 

[clemston]

My mom swears by reflective pinwheels to keep hawks out of her yard (perhaps the same idea as pie plates)... who knows if it really works though?!