Illinois...

[chickendreams24]

Well went out for a smoke and looked down the run. Feathers everywhere but no chickens. Everyone was in the coop so went out front to look and there is a hawk with 1 of my silver laced orps. How he lift her over that 6ft fence I don't know. Everyone is locked up and he is waiting since I interrupted his lunch

Oh no I'm so very very sorry to hear this! I hope since you interrupted and I'm guessing took the bird that the hawk won't come back. We have been on alert and had the cockerals out every day waiting for the fox and so far it hasn't been back yet.

 

[Faraday40]

@ChicagoClucker

Oh my! I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. The hawks are certainly bold & hungry this time of year.

I also have one hanging around. A HUGE hawk- not the normal Cooper's hawk. I think it may be the one that got Spitzie in Nov/Dec. It was hanging around on Sat. & Sun mornings, so I left the dogs out to watch over the chickens for a couple hours each day. Likewise on Monday, the roos started going crazy as I was cleaning out the coop. I followed their gaze to the tree branch over our garage to spot the hawk. I made some noise with a toy cap gun & that just made the hawk move to a tree next door. Nope it wasn't afraid of me nor my toy gun. I called the chickens back into the run & locked them up for the rest of the day. Very unhappy chickens. Today they're out, but I've had to make a few runs outside whenever I hear some commotion. Thankfully all have been false alarms & there's been no hawk sightings today. (but I know we're not in the clear.)

 

[ChicagoClucker]

He hasn't moved from this tree since I chased him off of my poor girl. Almost 5 hours he is waiting for another chance.

 

[chickendreams24]

I think you guys might want to invest in a higher powered super soaker. Lol I don't think that would be illegal it certainly wouldn't hurt the birds hopefully just drive them away. I'm not sure though I can't imagine getting in trouble for that.

 

[ChicagoClucker]

I think you guys might want to invest in a higher powered super soaker. Lol I don't think that would be illegal it certainly wouldn't hurt the birds hopefully just drive them away. I'm not sure though I can't imagine getting in trouble for that.

If the hose was attached I would have pulled that out! I need something that will scare him off and apparently some bird netting.

 

[Faraday40]

I do know that birds hate being sprayed with water. Before getting a fence, the chickens used to invade my herb & strawberry garden all the time. We bought a "scare crow" sprinkler (motion- activated) that went off whenever the flock tried to get close to the house. It only worked for about 2 months. One of the chickens figured out that right after the sprinkler went off, it needed about 15-20 sec to restart. Therefore, they would set it off, then run across the barrier zone into my gardens.

At that time, the only effective deterrent was a preschooler with a super soaker. DS was told that he could practice his aim, but only when the chickens were between the garages & house.
The next spring we invested in a fence.

 

[cavemanrich]

I POSTED THIS PIX IN A HUNTING THREAD A WHILE BACK. It did get quite a few chuckles. I'm thinking (only thinking

) of getting some bottle rockets. I know they are ILL Eagle in Illinoise. (I know there should not be a letter E at the end

) Not too loud and most likely would send them flying away.

 

[ChicagoClucker]

I POSTED THIS PIX IN A HUNTING THREAD A WHILE BACK. It did get quite a few chuckles. I'm thinking (only thinking

) of getting some bottle rockets. I know they are ILL Eagle in Illinoise. (I know there should not be a letter E at the end

) Not too loud and most likely would send them flying aay.

Love the super soaker idea, except, I am sure my 2 grandson's will think I am awesome and steal it from me.

I hung some heavy kite string, strung down the open part of their run, zig zagging it. Its a 10 x 20 ft stretch but the way I have trimmed the bushes, the chickens have clearance underneath and the growth above always gave good protection until yesterday. There was no sign of him today, but will keep my eye out for him. My only choices for defense would be nerf guns or I have is a marshmallow shooter, and I don't know if I have enough wind to shoot it that far.

Or just keep them in the covered run til spring comes and the bushes grow leaves.


I think I have a buyer for 2 pairs of my bantams, thank goodness. Will be meeting her Sunday in Merriville. 2 boys gone,

 

[Faraday40]

I POSTED THIS PIX IN A HUNTING THREAD A WHILE BACK. It did get quite a few chuckles. I'm thinking (only thinking

) of getting some bottle rockets. I know they are ILL Eagle in Illinoise. (I know there should not be a letter E at the end

) Not too loud and most likely would send them flying away.

Loved the pun!

Looks like that water gun has a decent range, so it could moisten a bird which may convince it to move on for the day. We have those "pop-its" or "snaps" that make a little bang when thrown onto the ground. They're about as loud as a cap gun and approved for sale in IL. They send my dogs running for cover but have no effect on the hawks. The kids enjoy snapping them, though. When the kids are outside playing, the hawk usually gets bored & leaves. (Kids make awkward movements & can be loud, so they are a decent deterrent. Add the dogs' barking and our yard becomes even more uninviting.. Unfortunately, most hawks learn to check back throughout the day, so I'm grateful for my roos. Coopers & Sharp-shinned hawks are the worst. Those ones will camp outside the run for hours (like ChicagoClucker witnessed) & have the patience to hang around for weeks.


Reflectors, predator eyes, flags, fake owls, crinkle tape, even "talk radio" are supposed to be good deterrents. A secure run with a roof or avian netting is even better. My flock can get stir crazy, so I usually let them free range unless I actually see a hawk. There are days when I rarely see my chickens in the yard. If there's no snow on the ground, then I know there must be a hawk spooking them.

 

[cavemanrich]

I have this pool cannon my grandkids had fun chasing grandpa around the yard with.

Water blaster XLR Water cannon. I know it would reach up into those branches with ease. Who Knows, maybe brother hawk would like a cool down..

The floor tiles are 8 inch.