How can you free range with a hawk in the neighborhood?

[enola]

Just for the record..........

I am not mad, not even excited......

However, no where in what I wrote, did I ever mention that the hawk was killed.

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

I was wondering where the hawk shooting replys came from, still don't know.

 

[WingingIt]

Sorry, minor mishap here I had to deal with.

OK, Virginia's law concerning this is written oddly, IMO. It basically says if it's not a nuisance bird you can't do anything to them, disturb nests, collect feathers, etc. But here is a website that sort of explains it as clearly as any other I've found so far. Clear as mud, huh? lol.


Know This Law!
Perhaps the most important regulation to be aware of
is fairly short and sweet: Under authority of 29.1-103 and
29.1-521 of the Code of Virginia it shall be unlawful to take, possess, import, cause to be imported, export, cause to be exported,
buy, sell, offer for sale, or liberate within the Commonwealth
any wild animal unless otherwise specifically permitted by law
or regulation (4 VAC 15-30-10). In other words, unless a
particular wildlife activity, purpose, or use is specifically
authorized by law, you can assume it’s illegal. It is up to


Birds, Feathers, and Nests
There is no provision in the Code of Virginia to live
collect and/or possess wild birds except under an appropriate permit or license or as directly specified by law.
Migratory game birds (doves, ducks, brant, geese, swan,
coot, gallinules, sora and other rails, snipe and woodcock) as defined in § 29.1-100 of the Code of Virginia and
non-migratory game birds (grouse, pheasant, bobwhite
quail, and turkey) as defined in §29.1-100 of the Code of
Virginia can only be taken with a valid Virginia hunting
license in accordance with wildlife regulations. Also,
hunting any waterfowl requires a federal Migratory
Waterfowl Stamp (“Duck Stamp”) in addition to the
hunting license.
Most other birds for which Federal hunting regulations have not been set and which are not officially listed
by state law as a migratory game bird, a non-migratory game bird, a nuisance species, or a
threatened or endangered species are federally regulated and protected under the provisions of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The
U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the federal
agency which administers the provisions of this
Act. The Act also prohibits collecting any bird feathers or
nests unless specifically allowed under the terms of a salvage permit, a falconry permit or a raptor propagation permit.

That all came from here:
http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/laws/educators.pdf

 

[WingingIt]

Quote:
I don't think that anyone was saying you shot the hawk, but one of your replies stated that the employee told you that you legally could, and you were putting that out there for others to see and go from. I think people just wanted you and the others to all be safe legally and know that unfortunately you'd been given bad info. from that person.

I think the warning about what you write was more geared towards members in general and was in reference to the fact that harassing them in any manner can get you fined....not saying you'd written anything personally that shows you'd violated the act. At least, that's how I read it.

 

[WingingIt]

Quote:
Sorry, my misunderstanding. Saw the all caps tying and the ! and figured someone had gotten you upset. My oops, sorry.

 

[sourland]

Wingingit, saw the same thing-drew the same conclusion and backed out of the conversation. Your evaluation of my intent was right on the money. Thank you.

 

[Carols Clucks]

Back to how to free range with hawks........

You're going to be better off with large fowl and not bantees or similar small chickens.

Chickens that blend in with their surroundings seem to help

Trees, we have a ton of fruit trees for the chickens to duck under

Plants, we have a lot of plants for them to duck under

A good rooster helps too!

We have a nest of them very near by, we have not lost a hen in a LONG time. Although one has taken interest in the chicken garden, it tried to swoop and nearly ran in to my mom instead. The chickens are fast to find a good hiding place.

As a funny side note, I was working on a gravel path the other day trying to beat the rain. Suddenly the crows were all squawking and out of the clouds, gray pigeon or dove feathers were slowly floating down. Guessing the hawk caught something.

 

[RainbowBirds_of_a_Feather]

Aloha,

First sorry for your losses and I am happy you were able to save "Fancy". For injuries use Nettex Anti Feather Pecking Spray 250ml it will prevent the pecking and heal the wound.
Nettex Anti Feather Pecking Spray 250ml



Here is a post to help gaurd your pets... I had in my folder.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=4158807

Unless you can find/ have a rooster, that can guard your flock from danger. I had a miniature Game that was sweet as a pickle with me and ravaged any dog that got close to his flock. He was the greatest until someone stole him!

But he was the only one who did his job. But now I just have roos that will warn the flock.

 

[cgmccary]

I free range with a dog to guard the flock. I've lost two chickens to hawks in the past 5 years and I have two pairs of red-tailed hawks living on the mountains beside my place. You can free range if you have plenty of places for them to duck and hide, a vigilant roo to call the alarm and a dog that listens to the roo and will race to the defense.

The only reason I lost my two hens was that my "hawk" dog was getting too old and arthritic to move quickly enough.

A good dog makes all the difference in the world. There is an accepted loss risk to free ranging birds...one has to be prepared for the occasional loss in exchange for the birds getting to live a full life YES .

I have hawks and owls about I see and hear daily. I free range and lock up only at night. I agree with the above & all the other very good advice: Provide ample cover, Keep large fowl vs. Bantams, get a good guard dog, get a good rooster (more roosters are better; I currently 8 roosters. 2-4 stay out with the free ranging hens but the other 4-6 that are penned are just as vigilant about hawk warnings & Buckeyes sometimes will roar very loudly (and the penned ones many times see the hawks first)). I also keep Guineas, Geese and Turkeys which are also good about warning. The young ones learn from the older hens. A hawk would have a tough time on the ground at my place. Most hawks would have to stay on the ground initially with a large hen.​

 

[Mattemma]

I stay outside with my hens. Hawk will still fly around though.