Hiding chickens from Hawks

[Molly Mojo]

I lost one of my pullets last week to a hawk. Don't believe the "cd" theory. I had 10 of them hanging from trees in my yard and it didn't deter this hawk one bit. It's good to have things for them to hide in, but if the hawk is in a tree watching them, like in my case, it doesn't matter how many hiding places there are. It didn't even leave when my wife came out yelling at it. Unfortunately, I now only free range them when I'm outside. The only sure fire way is a covered run.

Me too. Pretty sure my loss was to a hawk also. Now only supervised free range.

 

[lovesfarms]

I wish I could free range all the time. It makes happy chickens. There was a rabid fox chasing neighbor dogs until it was killed by a car. I suspect there are more of them around. But it's the Hawks that fly every day that bother me

 

[Ryguy3684]

I always read that once the larger breed chickens are full grown, an adult hawk will not be able to pick them up, therefore won't attack. Apparently, that's an old wives tale. It was the largest hawk I've ever seen, and was didn't fly away with my bird, but stayed on the ground.

 

[Sasha-chickens]

I lost one of my pullets last week to a hawk. Don't believe the "cd" theory. I had 10 of them hanging from trees in my yard and it didn't deter this hawk one bit. It's good to have things for them to hide in, but if the hawk is in a tree watching them, like in my case, it doesn't matter how many hiding places there are. It didn't even leave when my wife came out yelling at it. Unfortunately, I now only free range them when I'm outside. The only sure fire way is a covered run.

i had the same thing happen. i live in the country so there is hawks everywhere. i just decided to let them out when i’m out. me and my dog guard them, i leave there coops open in case a hawk decides to come. whenever i see any type of bird shadow, i’m looking everywhere to make sure it isn’t a hawk. sometimes i have my dog stand with the chickens while i stand with the other to make sure it doesn’t try to sweep down and take any. i tried the CDs also but these hawks don’t care. i’ve seen them carrying off baby chicks before and it was so sad. Cds may work for other people though depending on how aggressive their hawks are.

 

[Sasha-chickens]

I lost one of my pullets last week to a hawk. Don't believe the "cd" theory. I had 10 of them hanging from trees in my yard and it didn't deter this hawk one bit. It's good to have things for them to hide in, but if the hawk is in a tree watching them, like in my case, it doesn't matter how many hiding places there are. It didn't even leave when my wife came out yelling at it. Unfortunately, I now only free range them when I'm outside. The only sure fire way is a covered run.

when hawks can’t carry the animal, they will stay on the ground attacking it and usually eat them on site.

 

[Buckeye Amy]

Nothing will deter hawks. You have to decide if you want to free range or have safe chickens. If you free range you will lose some birds. It's just part of the deal. I only free range under supervision, and in the fall and winter I don't free range at all because that's when the local hawks are most active due to their natural food sources declining due to the changing seasons and snow cover. The best time to free range is during summer when there is plenty of food available for the hawks. It's best to supervise if you can. Otherwise keep them in, even if they look miserable and want out.

 

[lovesfarms]

I would rather keep them safe and make them stay inside. I've only been letting them outside when I watch them because of the Hawks.

 

[lovesfarms]

I know the Hawks are just doing is what nature intended but it's horrible! It doesn't seem fair that Hawks are so well protected yet it seems like humans are the only ones who prey on them. Otherwise they seem to be on the top of the ladder!