how to get rid of a hawk killing my chickens

[CackleBabies]

I raised my first flock of 8 Chickens, each a different breed, 2 of which were roosters. They free range on our 2 acres. The day I saw a hawk attack, I heard the flock making weird noises. I ran out and my Banty buff Brahma was jumping at the hawk with his talons as it swooped in. I saw that and ran out there quick, but the hawk swooped 2 more times—it wasn’t bothered at all by my presence. The hens were scattered nearby under cover of bushes and beneath the deck with my other rooster, a black silky. I stood nearby waving a stick or broom or something. I can’t remember what I grabbed. It finally flew off. I was super proud of Brewster Cogburn for defending the flock that day. Shaggy seemed rightly named for running away with the hens. Brewster is still with us. He’s going on 6 years old.

 

[Chickenclaude]

I have hawks..a family. So...I’m outside w my chickens doing yard work or they are in the run or house. I’ve even had him Perch on my house roof just a waiting ..
I use a tarp over the run..

 

[writerskramp]

hello I have lost 5 guinea hens and 1 chicken hen to a hawk which I caught on camera and saw it the other day and scared it off. I cooped my other 2 chicken hens which free range all day and built a scarecrow and put some reflective tape on it to try to deter the hawk away. Was wondering if there were any other tricks or advice to keep them away.

Wouldn't have guinea.. too noisy, never stop and all over the place where they shouldn't be.. Some mention dispatching.. you can't be every where all the time. That being said a scatter gun and a shovel is good for all varmints regardless of wings and or number of feet.. Should be part of every tool box.. Loose lips sink ships.. A net over your run works to keep out everyone except your cat.. She was sorry, spent four days on a shelf. Didn't think she'd make it. Here is an idea.. Fishing line strung through the trees.. works over runs too.. The invisible stuff.

 

[schmedlap]

yea tell my children that lol I told them what was killing our birds and they are going around at school saying daddy is going to need to kill the hawk to stop it from killing our chickens. I said nooooooo do not tell people that OMG

the 3rd part of SSS is shut up. that means tell no one.

 

[schmedlap]

Well, there is taking care of it then there is taking care of it when it is out of season for hunting here in MO. Peeps get in trouble for that.

there is no "season" when it comes to protecting your flock.

 

[Ann Egan]

Fortunately, not here. I have a dream of one getting tangled in my netting so I can call the conservation department and tell them to come get their hawk/eagle/owl before I turn my bantam roosters loose on it. They be little but I imagine they would make a bird of prey turn vegan real fast! Or at least swear off chickens.

I'd let the rooster kill it then call the conservation department. It's not against the law for the rooster to kill the hawk after all. What are they going to do, put him in jail.

 

[silkielover64]

https://www.facebook.com/1046846302/posts/10219992705741769

I had a silkie rooster do that. It was smaller than the regular rooster that ran and hid.

 

[writerskramp]

I'd let the rooster kill it then call the conservation department. It's not against the law for the rooster to kill the hawk after all. What are they going to do, put him in jail.

Do you call the Po Po when you exceed the speed limit too..? Chicken..

 

[Mmanist]

Yes, do not free range. Keep your birds in a secure run with netting over it.

Unfortunately Hawks, eagles and owls are protected by federal law. To shoot or harm one can land you in a lot of hot water. It's perfectly alright for them to destroy flocks but we can't destroy them and trust me, there have been times where I sure have been tempted. So far I've only had them scope out the buffet table and haven't had any kills but I don't free range because of them.

So my best advice is that unless you can sit with your birds and guard them while they are free ranging, then your best bet is to not free range. Once a predator knows where the free meal is, it's going to come back for seconds.

I've even heard of instances where hawks have swooped down and taken a bird while a human is standing less than 50 feet away.

I'm so sorry you have lost birds.

Had one, just the other day. Swoop down under 10 foot from me, got a morning dove and about flew into me to get back out of the pine with it. If I had a tennis ratchet, I'd prob smacked him.... he took my porcelain d'uccle hen the very next day, straight from the run. I am pretty bummed, I've had my d'uccle over 3 yrs now. But I can't do anything about his pesky butt.... I have found that moving, my fake owls and creepy tree gnome around, has sorta deterred it. But not entirely....

 

[RiverRanch]

If legal in your state, I find bottle rockets very effective. Originally in the state of Florida you could only buy fireworks to harass birds "damaging" your crops. That has changed now. A bottle rocket with a "scream" and a pop will move them out and keep them away for extended periods of time (months). The trick is to build a portable launcher. I made a launcher out of a short section of small (1/2") PVC fastened to a piece of 2x4 shape to a hand grip. You only have to launch it in the general direction of the bird and they get the message. My resident hawks and I have an "understanding". They can hunt any where around my property as long as it is no where near my ducks; don't even look at them. Occasionally we will get a "visitor" (migratory) hawk who has to learn the rules and it only takes one lesson.