i just seen a chicken hawk circling around my chickens. what do i do?

[chickenmama109]

hi everyone, last week my friends chicken got eating by a hawk right down the road. so I have been keeping an eye on my chickens, so just know I seen a huge hawk circling my chickens free range yard. they free range every day so im not sure what I could do because they love to free range, so how can I keep the hawks away from my chickens. thanks

 

[Shadrach]

hi everyone, last week my friends chicken got eating by a hawk right down the road. so I have been keeping an eye on my chickens, so just know I seen a huge hawk circling my chickens free range yard. they free range every day so im not sure what I could do because they love to free range, so how can I keep the hawks away from my chickens. thanks

You can't if you free range. It's a risk you take. I free range and lose one or two a year to hawks.
It's a very difficult choice. Give the chickens freedom and take the risk, or put them in a run and hope a ground predator doesn't get in.

 

[llombardo]

Can you cover the area with some kind of netting?

 

[chickenmama109]

Can you cover the area with some kind of netting?

No I dont thank that would be possible I'm trying to keep. a close eye on them. I dont know what else to do.thanks for your help everyone

 

[WVduckchick]

Yep it’s a toss up.
I mostly only let mine out when I am home, and I keep a window open to listen for them to alert. It gets a little busy running to the window or outside every time they make noise, but you eventually learn what sounds mean what, and what their actions mean.
Your presence in the area is not a definite deterrent, as hawks have been known to still swoop in, even with you close by, but i do think it helps to be out there more with them.
So my best advice is to learn their alert sounds and watch their behavior when they are scared.

 

[llombardo]

No I dont thank that would be possible I'm trying to keep. a close eye on them. I dont know what else to do.thanks for your help everyone

Why do you think it's not possible? Anything is possible. Get some wood stakes and drape net around any size area you want.

Really, how far do the chickens go? I have mine in a run, I made a side area where they go to scratch the grass, etc. After about an hour they want back in the run, they are happy and safe. I put up some sticks and added a net. Not expensive and they are covered.

 

[jreardon1918]

Just heard a racket. Some of the chickens were under the coop and some hiding at the back of the uncovered part of the run. A hawk was in the just outside the run. Scared it away.

 

[micstrachan]

The hawk will be back tomorrow. Do you have a dog you can trust around the chickens?

I recommend minimally zig-zagging some wire across their free range area, if possible. You can also leave tables and chairs around for them to hide under. Good luck!

 

[jreardon1918]

No dog. I will add some more cover. The wire... will think about it. Thanks

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

Lock them up for a week or so, they/you will get over it.

Gary