How to get rid of Andrey the goshawk?

[AxelCoon]

I'm pretty sure chickens cannot do anything against a goshawk's devastating "dive bomber" attack.
I'm thinking about attracting pigeons in my area (there are none left). Maybe that way, they'll distract him from mychickens..even if for a short while.

 

[TwistedSteel]

I think a well trained dog is the best solution for your situation. You may have other predators that you just haven`t seen.

 

[Northern.Ontario]

Cover the entire place in aviary/ bird netting

 

[AxelCoon]

That would be very expensive as the area where they roam is huge and i don't want to cover my orchard with ugly nests.
I'm thinking of setting up a trap, catching him and then relocating him like very far away.

 

[AxelCoon]

So from what I know, I guess you have the Kabirs for broiler/meat birds?
In spite of their size, they won't be agile enough to challenge a big hawk.
Can you obtain Minorcas, Catalanas, White Faced Black Spanish or Penedesencas of the Black variety? Those are big, agile, alert and protective breeds.
My Black Penes have taken hawks down.

Unfortunately Andrey is a huge bird; his wingspan measures almost 2 metres. Pretty much no chicken is a match for his almost 100mph diving attack, with his razor sharp claws.

 

[happyfrenchman]

Axel, that bird has learned your chickens and previously your pigeons were delicious and available. I am not kidding when I say I would shoot that hawk. Yes... it is beautiful and it is likely protected and another one would take it's place...... (maybe... maybe not). But this one is for sure doing damage. If it were me, next time it kills one of your birds, take the dead carcass and put it somewhere you can get a clear shot from a comfortable concealed blind if at all possible. Shoot that bird and get rid of it. (I don't know the European legalities but it is likely the same as here in the US and therefore you do not want to get caught. However if you do not shoot it, it will likely continue because they are impossible to deter once they become chicken killers. If you can trap him, I don't know how you could take him far enough away.... (I would take him for a one way trip). People will wail that it is illegal to kill the bird. (It might be I do not know about the laws where you are....) but that is what I would do.

 

[AxelCoon]

No, it is not illegal as it is considered game hunting; just as pig farmers hunt down jackals. But i do not have a Hunter's license to even own a gun.
I was thinking of capturing him and driving him over our neighbouring country Hungary which is 90% made of corn fields so there are plenty of pigeons around to not make him want to fly back.

 

[happyfrenchman]

If you are able to catch him that would be great.... after that, , I would give him the axe......... Goshawks are very powerful and taking him to Hungary would not likely be far enough. Maybe.... Me? I would snap his neck. Not easy because he is likely a beautiful bird. I have found in the states, when dealing primarily with his smaller cousin the Accipiter Cooperi, that chicken killing is a learned (and in some cases perfected) behavior and when they learn it, they keep doing it, but if you are able to get rid of the offender, the new hawks are not likely to be chicken killers. At least not initially. This bird has learned this behavior and would not be likely to stop. And I confess, I would probably have a hard time killing such a beautiful animal as he must be.

 

[AxelCoon]

And...there goes one of my young Red Sex Links this pic was taken merely 5 minutes ago. He attacked the area right next to the coop where my new flock awaits merger with the older chickens.
He is not afraid of me; he even sqwawked at me! I had to throw a quince at him to shoo him away, but it was too late for my chicken. I now declare total war on him!

 

[happyfrenchman]

Yikes.

Rifles are not so easy to come by in Romania I guess? I generally use an air pellet rifle for such things. Or a 22 is ideal but louder. But surely with the right permissions, you could get hold of a nice shotgun.... ? he is in range right there.... LOL. He is beautiful, but he has gone over to the vermin side. Maybe you could just throw a net over him at that range. ... I would definitely terminate that bird.