How long will a hawk stick around??

[LaFleche]

The only thing that really works for me is netting. I use fishing nets that are available in different mesh sizes and so far they have proven to be very durable and serve the purpose well.

Everything else I tried over the years did fail.

 

[Brandy2512]

The only thing that really works for me is netting. I use fishing nets that are available in different mesh sizes and so far they have proven to be very durable and serve the purpose well.

Everything else I tried over the years did fail.

Did you put it over your yard, like where they free range or over their run? My run is covered with 1/4” hardware cloth so I’m not worried about them in there. I would definitely consider putting fishing line up in my woods though, over their favorite free range spots.

 

[LaFleche]

Did you put it over your yard, like where they free range or over their run? My run is covered with 1/4” hardware cloth so I’m not worried about them in there. I would definitely consider putting fishing line up in my woods though, over their favorite free range spots.

I have several extensive outdoor enclosures of which not all are covered with netting.

Only the ones for the clucking hens and their chicks and the one for the juveniles are completely covered.

The even bigger ones farer away from the house and garden have netting covering the favorite hangouts and those with overhanging trees. They have lots of bushes and other greenery to hide under.

And they have very vigilant roosters that do not hide but fight for their hens if necessary.

 

[LaFleche]

Almost every year I catch one or two that sneaked in but were not quick enough to get away, mostly young adults:

 

[elisabeth_]

Thank you all for your replies! I currently have my young silkies locked up (they are not very happy about that) and my big silkies are hanging out under the butterfly bushes.
I’m still a little undecided on what to do, I saw where someone said that hawks really aren’t afraid of the fake owls, so I might have to forget about that.

Yesterday when I let them out for a few hours in the evening, I would go out there and walk around a bit, throw the silkies some treats here and there. I was thinking if the hawk is still around and sees that I am out there often he will be more hesitant to attack?

Like I said, the incident on Monday happened very fast, I nor any of my chickens had time to react. This was a smaller hawk and I know it would have had a bit of a struggle with my silkies, so I am curious to know how my rooster would have reacted?
So far I have only seen him chase my little brothers and the mailman... he seems bold, but I wonder if I could trust such a little guy to take care of the flock??

 

[elisabeth_]

Almost every year I catch one or two that sneaked in but were not quick enough to get away, mostly young adults:

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wow

 

[Shoshone]

Hawks and owls are the ultimate predators In many ways. To drop out of the sky fairly silently Is very efficient.
I‘m afraid free ranging comes with its perils. When you say you live by the highway I’m assuming you don’t live in the middle of a city. Hawks will be part of your life I‘m Afraid.

 

[elisabeth_]

Hawks and owls are the ultimate predators In many ways. To drop out of the sky fairly silently Is very efficient.
I‘m afraid free ranging comes with its perils. When you say you live by the highway I’m assuming you don’t live in the middle of a city. Hawks will be part of your life I‘m Afraid.

not really in the middle of a city, but we are straight across from a car wash that is usually pretty busy. I always figured hawks were extra careful and only like to work where there were sure not to be caught.

I remember there was absolutely no one at the car wash on Monday when the attack happened. I guess I will always have to be worrying about hawks if I want to keep letting them free range

 

[LaFleche]

Like I said, the incident on Monday happened very fast, I nor any of my chickens had time to react. This was a smaller hawk and I know it would have had a bit of a struggle with my silkies, so I am curious to know how my rooster would have reacted?

This might have been a sparrowhawk. They are very bold and fast as lightning. There was nothing you or your rooster could have done to prevent this from happening unless you kept them all locked up.

Goshawks especially are extremely patient, well hidden amidst the foliage, often waiting for days and observing every move until they finally strike.

 

[elisabeth_]

This might have been a sparrowhawk. They are very bold and fast as lightning. There was nothing you or your rooster could have done to prevent this from happening unless you kept them all locked up.

Goshawks especially are extremely patient, well hidden amidst the foliage, often waiting for days and observing every move until they finally strike.

Yes, this is what I was thinking. I forgot to mention that our church had revival the week prior to when the hawk visited, and I just know it had been watching all those time we weren’t there.
I kind of wish it had happened while we were gone so I didn’t have to see it. Some lessons have to be learned the hard way, it was stupid of me not to keep them locked up while we were at church