How to deal with hawks in the yard?

[Crooked Chicken]

All that I can say is that I tried just about anything I could of think of or read. @CntryBoy777 , suggests what appear to be the only viable solutions. For me (flying performing Birmingham rollers) complete lockdown was not viable, and as for the second solution irrational as it may be, I am not inclined to commit a federal offense. The hawks put me out of business. I got rid of all of my pigeons.

With chickens I would go with total enclosure and monitored free ranging or accept that I would lose some birds. They will go for the smaller birds first, but I have had Cooper's hawks attack large fowl.

I've got the predators here too. One tried to grab a pullet earlier in the summer, but it wasn't able to get a good grasp before she leapt into a shrub. I try to be in the yard and visible when they are out free ranging, but it's not always possible.

There has been a large bird hanging out the past few days. I can't see well enough to tell exactly what it is, but thinking prarie falcon or harrier. My friend said she thought red tailed hawk, but it didn't look like any red tail I've seen before. Whenever I get the binoculars out it takes off.

I have been keeping my flock penned up on days I know it's around and chaperoning them when possible.

 

[microchick]

Immature red tail maybe?

The bird in the top center row is an immature.

 

[Peckadoodle]

Living near miles of cornfields means oodles of hawks...hungry hawks! There are particular times, like right after harvest, when there is a hawk on every electric pole and fence post busy scoping out mice in the fields rather than being such a bother to the chickens. Not so once the mouse supply gets low. I put inexpensive lightweight plastic fencing over the pen and it works perfectly. Did not think it would last, but 2 years later it is in great shape and the chickens have a safe haven. They get little free ranging time, though.

 

[Crooked Chicken]

Immature red tail maybe?

The bird in the top center row is an immature.

Thanks, yes I have looked at the photos. I'm very accustomed to seeing lots of red-tailed hawks when I was IN California, but not so many around here. It is possible that it is an immature hawk. I'm keep my binoculars hand so I can get a really good look at it.

 

[centrarchid]

I am able to use a game rooster for much of the year to keep Coopers Hawks at bay. This time of year the process is not as reliable unless some confinement also employed. It is not the the increased abundance of migratory hawks that is the problem, rather the roosters have a seasonal change in mental state related to photoperiod and molt cycle. Once photoperiod starts to increase, the roosters again take an interest in repelling hawks.

Last fall I had a persistent hawk that went after song birds and mice. That was one was OK. Another that kept coming was interested in chickens and it took a couple juveniles, one free-range and another in a pen. Free-ranging was stopped and adult roosters were placed in or near pens with juveniles. Chicks under care of hen were immune even when free-range although hen would get worked up taking chicks to cover. Broody hens take fight to hawk, even when Coopers is a larger female.

Within the last couple weeks, my brother in Indiana had a Coopers Hawk come down after a game stag. Game stag actually fought back and was still working hawk over inside a bramble patch. Hawk got away dinged up a bit. Brother related this to me as we watched another Coopers Hawk work same area for songbirds while an American Kestrel dive bombed the hawk.

It is not hard to pen birds up until hawks pass. Problem is hawks may not be targeting chickens as after other stuff where chickens are targets of opportunity. Then chickens might be penned for a month or two. When I sit out at barn for the whole day, the Coopers come in several times without causing much of a stir.

Hawks can be fun. Work to enjoy them while keeping chickens safe.

 

[microchick]

Well, heck, @Crooked Chicken, I know where you are! Been there a couple three times visiting Graffs and Sons! We are about 80 miles north of you in Macon county between Kirksville and Macon! Yeah, if your area is like ours, you have more than your share of Red Tails.

Do you get the Eagles over winter months when they move inland from the Mississippi to hunt when the river freezes over?

We also have a lot of problems with owls here, mostly Barn and Barred but we do have Great Horned also.

 

[centrarchid]

I am about 40 minutes south just off highway 54.

 

[Folly's place]

I lost a bantam to a hawk yesterday, and will be keeping my flock in for a week or two. That's part of 'free ranging' and while sad, nowhere near the losses from foxes or dogs in the daytime, or critters in the coop at night, if things aren't arranged safely. Mary

 

[Crooked Chicken]

Well, heck, @Crooked Chicken, I know where you are! Been there a couple three times visiting Graffs and Sons! We are about 80 miles north of you in Macon county between Kirksville and Macon! Yeah, if your area is like ours, you have more than your share of Red Tails.

Do you get the Eagles over winter months when they move inland from the Mississippi to hunt when the river freezes over?

We also have a lot of problems with owls here, mostly Barn and Barred but we do have Great Horned also.

Yep - that's where I am -- about 4 miles south. I still have not been in that store. I really need to get myself a gun.

We do have owls too, but haven't seen any during day. The bald eagles are here as well, but they usually roost around the lakes. There's a small lake in town that has an eagle population.

I would never want to harm or chase off the predatory birds. I like them too. The only things I'd like to get rid of are mice, possums, groundhogs, flies and those asian ladybeetles. Oh, and those wood roaches that congregate under the piles of leaves and branches.

 

[Crooked Chicken]

I am about 40 minutes south just off highway 54.

I always thought Holt's Summit was further away until I had to go to Jeff City recently for a sleep study. I am right ON Hwy 54 just before you get in Mexico.

I would hate to lose one to a predator, but if it happens I at least hope it kills it quickly. I will still just try prevention as much as it's practical.