how do you free range when hawks are about?

[Johnnyboy922]

i have a corrugated roof and it works well its on a slant enough that nothing can sit on it. to keep the hawks from getting your chickens try planting like 5' by 5' patches of shrubs or prarie grass or anything that will give them cover and do this every like 15 or 20 feet in your yard so they can run into it for cover, it also gives them bugs to eat. i have found my chickens in a patch of prarie grass my mom has when a hawk swooped at them(i was able to punch it as it flew by me). another thing you may be interested in trying is fishing wire if you have a tall enough fence or trees. on my neighbors pool they run fishing wire across the top(above head height by about 2 feet.) to keep birds from landing in it and flying low across it. it seems to work and if you run enough line to keep a hawk from getting through or even enough that it had good odds of it running into the line as it swoops. its a long shot idea but wont take much work if you have a fence and a staple gun.

 

[goldenacres]

Hi, I'm new to your site but felt inclined to respond.

I have two large, (American Alpine), goats and have never had a problem with hawks since I started pasturing them with my flock. I have 25 hens, 12 ducks and of course my two goats. Prior to fencing everyone in together I lost both ducks and chickens to our hawks. I also have had problems with Foxes and Coyotes, but only at night if someone decided to roost outside instead of coming in for the night. My only suggestion to anyone considering getting goats would be to research the breeds. Some goats, (American Alpines for instance), are large, pushy and incredibly strong. Other breeds are much more docile and make better 'family pets' and you will probably get the same "protection" from their presence. Best of luck! Losing any member of your flock to predators can be disheartening.

 

[bobbieguyette]

A thought to think of before you get goats they will also destroy your fences and they can and will eat feathers off your birds I had very bald turkeys from my goats never again! and they never stopped a hawk here either:|

 

[JudyMcKinn]

Re Bobbie's post, goats have been fairly destructive for me, also. But while reading these posts, some of you have had luck with goats keeping hawks away. I am curious about how they keep the hawks away? do they chase/attack them? Or do you think the hawks are just afraid of the goats, or why would goats keep hawks away from chickens?? Not being argumentive, just wanting information.