Is it true that black chickens can deter hawks?

[Ducky_Momo]

I think I heard this back in my 4H days. Some lady told me about how once she got black chickens, the hawks would rarely, if ever go for the birds, supposedly because the hawks think that they're crows (the two are mortal enemies apparently). I don't know how true this is but I was wondering if anyone has any experience with this?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I've had hawk attacks with all colors of chickens. However, all my chickens are now black. Hawks still swoop down but the roosters attack the hawks and I haven't lost a bird to hawks since I've had this breed with an adult rooster with each flock.

 

[centrarchid]

I have not seen where color makes a difference, with possible exception when a broody hen sit quietly on a nest. Then it is hens that stand out even when still that may be at a disadvantage.

 

[Shadrach]

No, it isn't true. I have black Marans and hawks still kill them.

 

[Folly's place]

It's also not true that they chose white birds over more 'camo' colored birds. What they will do is pick bantams, or younger smaller birds first. Then, it's a matter of luck and situational awareness by flock members. Some bigger birds will be injured but not dead, and some roosters can repel some hawks.
Once there's been a predator attack during the day, survivors will be more cautious and careful.
Mary

 

[ShannonsChimkens]

Solid black, crow like Ayam Cemani attacked and almost killed by a hawk. They go after anything small enough that looks tasty.

 

[Rainwing]

i think having large standard sized birds with no visibility impairments can reduce chance of mortality from hawks but not by 100%. in 5 years of free ranging hens i've only had one hawk attack, on a silkie. left the poor thing paralyzed. also having lots of cover, like old dog kennels, can help keep them safe because they run under them.

 

[My2butterflies]

This is sad.
I did pick half my chicken breeds because I figured darker colors would be safer from eagles and hawks. We have a bald eagle that frequents our farm and fields. And hawks are always coming and going. We have lost every farm cat that’s ever shown up that has mainly white in their fur. Yet our resident black female and both gray males have been here for years no problem.
That and the fact that we haven’t lost any guineas to predators in the year we’ve had them made me believe that picking black/earth toned chickens would give us the best chance at success.

 

[Folly's place]

Any small animal can be at risk form raptors, and this includes small dogs.
It's both luck, caution (learned or innate) and having sheltered places. The one good thing about raptor attacks, at least here, is that it's one bird, not the whole flock at once.
Mary

 

[Wrooster]

I don't know about hawks but, based on one experience, I think dark chicks are safer at night than light-colored ones. We had 6 adolescent Buff Orpingtons and 6 Rhode Island Reds in a temporary enclosure. One night racoons took 3 of the Buffs and wounded one. All the Reds were untouched. We thought it was likely because the Buffs were much lighter in color and therefore easier to see at night.