I've been spared.....but I need expert opinion on Goshawks.

[ChickenWisperer]

We just had a startling, and scary realization.


I'm sitting here, doing homework - when dad screams for me. He runs in the house, goes for the gun - and when I get near the open window he pointed to, I can hear my new Roo screaming - and the girls too. I get to the window, look out - and there is a goshawk perched in a tree. Sitting there, looking - waiting.


Dad couldn't get it loaded and outside before it took off.


Dad says he knew there was a mated pair near here, but not this close - and he didn't think they were that large..... He said both were circling as I ran down to the coop to get all my girls in, and do a head count.


I don't ever recall a time my heart pouded so hard. I'm so thankful I, and my girls and boy have been spared.....I'm so lucky dad was outside.....


What do you guys suggest? What should I do? Is there anything that is a foolproof guarantee to lure them in or scare them off for good?


I definately no longer feel safe letting my birds freerange......I would've thought the huge vultures that roost within eyesight of the house would've scared them off, but no....

 

[Ms.FuzzyButts]

Oh my!! Glad your dad was outside too! That could have been bad. Maybe put a roof on your run with hardware cloth. They should not be able to get through that at all.

 

[duckling 1234]

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[ChickenWisperer]

Ms.FuzzyButts :

Oh my!! Glad your dad was outside too! That could have been bad. Maybe put a roof on your run with hardware cloth. They should not be able to get through that at all.

Yeah, the run is already fenced in completely.......they were free ranging!

I guess until we "solve the problem", they won't be able to free range or we will have to expand the run!​

 

[ChickenWisperer]

Quote:
I figured this would be the case.


Is there anything I can do to lure them out? What time are they most active?

 

[dacjohns]

First of all I will say and say it firmly then I will go back and reread this thread since I only just skimmed it.


Edited because I was rather harsh the first time around.

Research and obey the laws. Please don't advocate killing birds of prey or breaking any other laws.

 

[dacjohns]

Quote:

 

[dacjohns]

Quote:
You're a falconer and you are advocating this? Perhaps I misunderstand you. If I'm not misunderstanding you then you should have your license revoked.

 

[ChickenWisperer]

Quote:
Well, I'm quite sorry, as I didn't know.

Actually, thinking about that, I take it back. I'm not sorry for anything - because I haven't done anything wrong, and was only scared senseless for the sake of my birds. I'm sure there are several people who have killed birds of prey, and continue to do so.... I haven't yet, and I'm pretty sure I never could - as bad as my hands would shake at the thought of killing a living creature.

I was looking for advice, not for someone to be hateful to me about laws I didn't know about.

I never said I was an expert on hawks, either. My father told me, and I immediately came to BYC for advice, like I usually do.

 

[rancher hicks]

What are Goshawks? Is that when you go "o my gosh a hawk!". Seriously we have Redtail hawks and Peregrin falcons and American Eagles, but I don't know what a Goshawk is. Does anyone have a pic?