How dangerous is a falcon to full grown chickens?

[eddiesbaglady]

Recently my comet Hey Lee has alerted me to a falcon that has taken up residence between my house and my neighbors. Which on one hand has greatly decreased the number of field mice and sparrows I am feeding but could it kill my full grown chickens? Hey Lee is great at sounding the alarm (she is as vocal as any rooster I ever remember) calling the other girls to the coop or other cover and I also have a dog that is out but I am still concerned.

I would appreciate any advice since I am a new chicken parent still and don't remember my parents "free ranging" them when I was a kid.

 

[JerseyGiantfolk]

If you had bantams-- yes be concerned. But usually small falcons won't go for large fowl. Just provide adequate protection where your birds can run and feel safe (even if they're bigger than the falcon itself). (Shrubs and small trees work)

Around my house, there are Kestrels, Red Tail hawks, Peregrine falcons, and Coopers hawks. The chickens alert, and hide.

 

[sourland]

If your 'falcon' is a female Cooper's hawk, and if she is hungry enough, she will not hesitate to take on a full sized hen.

 

[centrarchid]

Picture of threat would be cool.

My dog deals with even Coopers just fine but if hawk pushes issue dog must be willing and able to get to chickens to drive hawk off.

If dog not effective, then hens may be in trouble unless they fight back which is not consistent. Roosters much better for that.

Bantams need to be penned up.

 

[Oregon Blues]

There are a couple of varieties of hawk large enough to try for a large size chicken, but not many are big enough. If your falcon is already doing a job on the sparrows and mice and has not bothered the birds, it sounds like it is one of the smaller types of raptor.

You can keep your poultry in a pen with a cover and then, no matter what type of hawk it is, it can't get your birds.

 

[Haunted55]

I agree with Oregon Blues about having covered pens for your birds when you can't be with them. I would also like to call your attention to another thread on BYC https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/727656/will-a-hawk-attack-a-goose . It might interest you.

 

[weidnercharm]

My threat started with a Magpie getting in and eating eggs. I put up 2 fake owls on fence posts. I haven't seen the magpie again. Now, I have a falcon who hangs around my chicken coop. She/he is in my garden and perches on top of the chicken run fencing. I have found several eggs on the floor inside the coop and wonder if the falcon is going in and eating eggs. Do they do that?

I have netting on its way...... can't wait to cover the entire run!!!!

 

[Gray Farms]

All birds of prey are a potential danger to chickens. Any bird of prey that is hungry enough or in the right "wrong" situation can kill a chicken. Some soon realize they can not carry off or even consume their kill, but all have the ability to kill.