I know now what killed my bird. What next?

[BigBlueHen53]

Dogs work for us. We have an aussie/border/lab/dunno mix that did a good job watching but is too much of a house pet. So, we got a Scotch Collie. Haven't lost a bird to predators since! He sits out there and keeps an eye on everything and kills rats, goes after foxes, goes after racoons, and has very successfully kept hawks away. I know his relatives will attack a hawk that gets close enough to the ground and I'm pretty darned sure he would too...but they've been smart enough to stay well away. We see them circling the field by our house and they won't come into the yard! Scotches are a good choice because they are low-maintenance for coats and health, fantastic pets, and by preference will want to sit and watch over the yard rather than be inside. If you can get a good appropriate dog breed, they are amazing...they'll even put the girls up if we need them penned so we can go somewhere without leaving them out!

Would you post a pic of the wonder dog? I need one like this!

 

[RooStar Chicken Gang]

It's just beautiful that U grabbed Ur hens and ran to save them like a "madman" as U say. That's honorable. As for Hawks I don't know how to stop them, never had issues with them. However my rooster has warned, hens before of big birds over head an they all run together with there fluffy bums. Get a roo if U can maybe.

 

[Regina Larsen]

I think the reason jays and crows attack hawks is because they are natural prey for hawks. A single jay is asking for it. I think I'd need to attract a family unit. They attack in groups to defend themselves.

This is actually the next thing I'm going to try for now. It's playing the long game, but if I can lure jays and crows to the area I think it's my best bet. In the background I'll be building a chicken tractor covered in hardware cloth. If what I'm reading is true, my redtail will come back again and again daily forever and given the draught conditions we're experiencing, it won't stop for my dogs, for me, for decoys, for jack shit and I'm hosed. Now I just need to figure out how I can feed the corvids without feeding the squirrels, too. I don't need any more of those stupid things burying my neighbor's acorns in my grass.

Feeding safflower seed can help. It tastes yukky to mammals so its not #1 on squirrel lists.

 

[Prop toe]

Hawks watch look and listen.They slowly pitch closer and closer observe everything that moves.A lp gas crow cannon with timer works for a while then the hawk figures out it no harm and works it way in.A crow cannon stress fowl also bang fairly loud. I know a crazy man made electric pitch roost poles on a 30 amp breaker .they were 14 ft high .he had them approx. 50 yards from the edge of the grounds of the fowl walk.It was a wrap.rekon what none knows matters. Wild life looking for traps on a pole.Mum the word touchy talk here

 

[McChooky]

Hawks watch look and listen.They slowly pitch closer and closer observe everything that moves.A lp gas crow cannon with timer works for a while then the hawk figures out it no harm and works it way in.A crow cannon stress fowl also bang fairly loud. I know a crazy man made electric pitch roost poles on a 30 amp breaker .they were 14 ft high .he had them approx. 50 yards from the edge of the grounds of the fowl walk.It was a wrap.rekon what none knows matters. Wild life looking for traps on a pole.Mum the word touchy talk here

He'd have to be crazy to rig up such a thing and risk going to jail.

 

[Birdielee]

Safflower seed comment was interesting. Ill test it out next round of ratfighting.

Squirrels are useful as “other food” for predators. There’s less reason for a hawk to go for a chicken if there are squirrels at the birdfeeder

Feeding safflower seed can help. It tastes yukky to mammals so its not #1 on squirrel lists.

 

[ashcons]

The risk of free ranging is losing animals to predators.

The solution to predation is a solid run and coop.

Weigh what you want out of your flock. The predators are gonna do what they do.

You can see in my post history that there are some animals that I really don't like (raccoons, coyotes), but I still know there's a lot more "won the battle, lost the war" type of fighting trying to beat predators rather than throwing the chickens in Fort Knox.

 

[Genene]

Problem is hunting, trapping and shooting predators is about the only way you'll stop them

Just make sure you are not hunting/trapping out of season or protected species. That’s called poaching & is against the law.

 

[Regina Larsen]

Safflower seed comment was interesting. Ill test it out next round of ratfighting.

Squirrels are useful as “other food” for predators. There’s less reason for a hawk to go for a chicken if there are squirrels at the birdfeeder

Agreed. Good distraction.

 

[McChooky]

Just make sure you are not hunting/trapping out of season or protected species. That’s called poaching & is against the law.

Predator proof coops and runs are my weapon of choice but thanks for the advise!