I've dealt with a LOT of hawk where I live. No way to cover my run.
Federal law makes killing a hawk (any hawk) illegal without a permit.
However SCARING the hawk using non lethal methods IS legal. You can do things like shoot nerf darts at them and bottle rockets. Document it carefully and don't try to hit the bird with anything that could actually do more than bounce off of it harmlessly or makes a big BANG and a flash to scare it.
You can hang CDs from tree branches. They catch the light and reflect it in fast-moving patterns that hawks dislike. Try to attract crows and nesting jays if you can, both will drive hawks away aggressively. Any nesting wild bird may also act as an early warning system. You can also put up fake owls in the evening and move them occasionally. A good rooster, raised in hawk country, will help keep your girls safer than they would be on their own. Make sure your hens have lots of places to take cover under.
Document all this too, any effort you make, as well as any losses you receive. Document the hawk's presence as well. A couple photos of the birds in the trees, the defenses you put up, your deterrence efforts, etc. And 1-2 photos of each bird if you loose them. Try to keep track of how much the birds cost you as well.
If you loose birds and can prove that you've been trying to keep them safe with non-lethal methods, you can get federal money to reimburse you for the loss of your livestock.
If it becomes a severe problem such as it's hampering your ability to keep any birds and you have the previous documentation, you can apply for a permit to destroy or relocate the hawk.
But most of the time they fly off well before then.
Federal law makes killing a hawk (any hawk) illegal without a permit.
However SCARING the hawk using non lethal methods IS legal. You can do things like shoot nerf darts at them and bottle rockets. Document it carefully and don't try to hit the bird with anything that could actually do more than bounce off of it harmlessly or makes a big BANG and a flash to scare it.
You can hang CDs from tree branches. They catch the light and reflect it in fast-moving patterns that hawks dislike. Try to attract crows and nesting jays if you can, both will drive hawks away aggressively. Any nesting wild bird may also act as an early warning system. You can also put up fake owls in the evening and move them occasionally. A good rooster, raised in hawk country, will help keep your girls safer than they would be on their own. Make sure your hens have lots of places to take cover under.
Document all this too, any effort you make, as well as any losses you receive. Document the hawk's presence as well. A couple photos of the birds in the trees, the defenses you put up, your deterrence efforts, etc. And 1-2 photos of each bird if you loose them. Try to keep track of how much the birds cost you as well.
If you loose birds and can prove that you've been trying to keep them safe with non-lethal methods, you can get federal money to reimburse you for the loss of your livestock.
If it becomes a severe problem such as it's hampering your ability to keep any birds and you have the previous documentation, you can apply for a permit to destroy or relocate the hawk.
But most of the time they fly off well before then.