Is it true that black chickens can deter hawks?

[speedy2020]

We have hawk, but after hanged few CDs and didn't see the hawk for more than a year.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It is - hawks - plural.
Just like it is raccoons, not the raccoon. Foxes, not a fox. Coyotes, not the coyote.
They have replacements.

 

[cmom]

My pens are all covered. I did have a breach that I have since fixed but a hawk found it.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I'm surprised a hawk would kill so many at once - without eating any.

I wasn't there but it looks more like a mink or weasel kill to me.

 

[Shadrach]

I believe many predators are attracted primarily by movement. I think this is particularly true of the Goshawk we have here. It is quite possible for a hen to sit in a relativity exposed nest and provided she keeps perfectly still the hawk won't bother to investigate further. There are so many varieties of shape and colour both in chickens and in nature that the hawk would need to carry an encyclopedia of modern chicken breeds to pick out what is definitely a chicken by colour alone.
This is partly why small prey like mice will freeze when it detects a predator. I've watched numerous mice crossing well lit ground at night when owls are hunting. If they freeze in time the owl will pass them by in many cases.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Good thing we don't have Goshawks in the Western Hemisphere. However, I think we have many more other poultry predators than Europe/UK.
The thing is that no one is predator free, no matter where they live or what they have seen.

 

[ShannonsChimkens]

My pens are all covered. I did have a breach that I have since fixed but a hawk found it.
View attachment 2133895

Sorry about your hens. Such a bummer, especially when you have them enclosed in hopes that predatory animals won’t get them.

We had two bald eagles going after our birds just yesterday. I really don’t want to give up free ranging, so I must be willing to give up a couple birds I guess?

Life like scare crows do not stop eagles btw. They didn’t care at all that it was there. A hawk second guessed it, then flew off.

Anyone tried giant umbrellas propped up for places to hide? Obviously lowered to the ground a bit. My daughter thought of it and I kind of like the idea. Curious if they work as good hideouts.

 

[cmom]

I'm surprised a hawk would kill so many at once - without eating any.

I wasn't there but it looks more like a mink or weasel kill to me.

I was on a Dr. appointment and some errands at the time. When I got home the birds were really fussing. I went to investigate and saw the hawk and several dead birds. It was a Red Tail hawk. I had been seeing it now and then. Sorry for the blurry.

Here it is sitting on a bluebird nest box with a snake it caught.

 

[RowanTheRed]

truly doubt that theory. The only hawk attack I've had was with my all black hen! Although maybe our neighborhood hawk is just color blind!

 

[Florida Bullfrog]

My 2 cents is that size is more important than color. Hawks definately go after my smaller, harder to catch, chickens over my larger, slower chickens. The large ones should be easier marks but the hawks seem to instinctually favor the smaller birds.