How to protect from hawks free range chickens?

[Bawkbok]

Well, a guardian dog (such as a Great Pyrenees) will deter a hawk crows, etc. They tend to watch the sky as well as distance and seem to understand that threats come from above. They run and chase and bark it away. These are >100 lb. dogs so they are large and fast. The would absolutely attack a hawk if it lands on the ground. In lieu of that, we are always present when they are free ranging. I mean literally standing within a few feet from them. We don't have a rooster so I serve this purpose. We have a large Red Shouldered Hawk that circles and the other day it came ripping through the yard about 10 feet above the chickens. They bolted for cover and I started running to make sudden movement. It does check back from time to time. I see where others say a hawk will attack even if they are present. It would seem if I am standing within feet of the chickens that should be deterrent enough, I'm hoping. If a hawk attacks one of my chickens, it will be a sorry day for the hawk.

 

[Yardmom]

We free range and at times have hawks circling over head. When the hawks are over head no chickens can be seen. Thick brush has prevented hawk attacks here.
My Aussie is also good at chasing wild birds. My ducks were under the deck (only overhead protection in their pen) when I went out the other morning. The dog barked and "chased" a hawk that was flying for 500 yards. She also does this to any crows she spots.

 

[Perris]

I heard a good rooster can do some protection,

I have multiple roos and I believe they deter attacks - there are much easier prey out there for a predator to target

Any other true and tested deterrents or protection against hawks?

wide mixed shrub borders below, occasional trees above

Heavy vegetation seems to be the best protection in my experience.

same here; Aristoteleias, a skimmia, and a Mexican orange blossom are particular favourites in winter (they are evergreen) and parrotia persicas and lots of other deciduous wide small trees/ shrubs in summer. This should give you some idea; the whole flock can be loafing in here, and does scatter and bolt to borders like this when the alarm for an aerial predator is sounded by one of the roos

A canopy prevents hawk attacks by blocking vision and smaller vegetation physically protects against attacks

exactly

We free range and at times have hawks circling over head. When the hawks are over head no chickens can be seen.

same here.
Your birds will get better at evading predators with experience, but you have to let them continue to run the risk in order to gain that experience and pass it on to the next generation. You have lost some in the process, but the birds you still have know a lot about it now. Give them as much natural cover as you can, and they may flourish in freedom instead of languish in protective custody.

 

[Altairsky]

A good rooster with a size larger than the average hawk is the best deterrent. I often see hawks hunt other birds around my property but chickens so far had always been out of the menu.
He's also a great deterrent against my in-laws

 

[AGeese]

So I just spotted a Bald Eagle, after I noticed one of my geese eyeing the sky. The only defense I can offer agaisnt those is to outstretch your arms wave, clap, and shout HEY HEY HEY.

 

[Bawkbok]

We are not allowed roosters in this county so that's a bummer. I'm sure it would help and I could definitely use one now! Yesterday, we were invaded by black vultures. They were flying about 15 feet directly above us. First there was only one, then two, then suddenly nine! I thought I could fend off one or two but I don't think I could deal with fighting off nine of them if they all decided to descend at once. They kept circling and circling, perching in trees about 20 feet away. Shrubbery - which we have a sufficient amount of - doesn't seem to deter them. The one just hovered right over us looking down at the chickens who were hiding under a shrub. Gave me the creeps. These birds are huge. They are just hungry and doing their thing, but since they work together as a coordinated group, I have no idea how to overcome this problem. The girls had to spend most of the day confined as the vultures just wouldn't leave, flying and circling over the yard all day. I'd rather deal with a lone Hawk or falcon than a group of aggressive vultures. My presence did not deter them at all. If anyone has suggestions, please advise.

 

[Daisy June]

Guys, I know this item has been discussed, but I wonder from your personal experience, what if anything worked for you to protect your free-range chickens from hawks?
I've tried tying up CDs to nearby trees, and tried putting other reflective and wind-sounding tapes on the branches. Tried scarecrow, but none of this works in the long run. Hawks get used to it all of it and attack my chickens on a somewhat constant basis. I also have guinea fowl that raise an early alarm when they spot a haw, and that helps a little, but still loosing too many birds to hawks.
I understand that the best thing would be to have a guard dog that lives outside, but my wife would not go for it (especially since we have other dogs living inside).

I heard a good rooster can do some protection, but it seems it is a hit or miss and sometimes roosters themselves can become prey of the hawks.

Any other true and tested deterrents or protection against hawks?

I've been involved in some of these conversations and come away with some ideas. Someone said that the hawks get used to seeing swivel-head fake owls, shiny CDs, etc., but I wonder if you had these things and moved them around regularly. Would the hawks still be so sure of themselves then? I also would try to find a couple of large windsocks, or one of those huge blow-up flags like the ones in front of tire stores and such.

 

[Daisy June]

So I just spotted a Bald Eagle, after I noticed one of my geese eyeing the sky. The only defense I can offer agaisnt those is to outstretch your arms wave, clap, and shout HEY HEY HEY.

Yep, there were five hawks flying overhead when my chickens were free ranging yesterday, so I walked to the middle of my yard with Willow (my grand English Bulldog), look up and yelled, "Not today, hawks!" All but one flew away, so Willow and I put the girls back into their secure run.

 

[texsuze]

I lost Bonita, one of my EE hens, to a hawk at the end of last November. My other 3 hens escaped but were very traumatized. First aerial predator loss in 14 years, although I've had a death by fox and a death by raccoon (directly due to idiot pet sitter) in my flock around 10 years ago. We're on decent-sized rural acreage with plenty of wildlife and too many feral dogs and cats.

My girls free-range within a fenced 4 acre pasture during the day and are secured in their coop/run at night. Their environment includes mature trees, some of which have limbs touching the ground, dense shrubs they can get underneath, "chicken huts" made from pallets, placed randomly in open areas, plus access to my large barn. Different types of cover, whether natural or manmade, can go a long way to helping deter successful attacks by aerial predators. My girls can get from Point A to Point B without being exposed for long distances.

 

[ChaosMom]

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exactly

same here.
Your birds will get better at evading predators with experience, but you have to let them continue to run the risk in order to gain that experience and pass it on to the next generation. You have lost some in the process, but the birds you still have know a lot about it now. Give them as much natural cover as you can, and they may flourish in freedom instead of languish in protective custody.

Perris, are those Nestera coops? Do your chickens use them to hide?

We just received ours, not yet assembled, and I was shocked how small it is, less than 8 sq ft/ less than 3/4 m sq. in floor area. And it’s a large. We bought it as a temporary coop to be replaced by a bigger one in time, and I’ve been trying to figure what to do with it.

Your pic has made me consider using it as an emergency shelter when we let the hens out of the run, but I don’t know if they would use it in that manner.