look who was sitting on my run this morning

[ncgnance]

If its a sharp-shinned hawk, you have nothing to worry about. A raptor rehabilitator told me that their talons are too small for anything other than rodents, frogs, etc. And, according to him, you do have a right to protect your livestock from ANY kind of predator. As much as I would hate to kill a hawk, or anything else, for that matter, I will do whatever I have to do to protect my animals.

 

[hsm5grls]

thank you ncgnance... Maybe my girls can get out to roam for a little while each day. They sure would like to I 'm sure.

 

[Chickemee]

One of those sowed up at my house today too. I saw one like it once before but it didn't stay, this one is acting different and has been in my tree for over4 hours now eyeballing my hens. Everytime he comes out if my tree my brittney spaniel tries to catch him. So far no luck. Is there another way I could get it to leave cause I really want to let my chickens out because ther still really little.

 

[jeaucamom]

Someone on here had the idea of frozen paint balls. I love that idea. And BBs are a good one too. We had a coopers hawk try to take off with our lt. Brahma Bitsy and then came back and climbed under a bush to get the other one who were hiding from him. He wasn't successful either time, but it was a nightmare for us. Can't imagine how horrible it was for the girls. Be very careful.

 

[ausash]

I had one that looked alot like that in my pen today. Unfortunately I came a couple of minutes too late. Even though he killed my poor RIR he did not get away with the booty. On his way out of the pen he perched on my electric fence and managed to get injured and landed back in the chicken run area and I came home and sent him off to the wildlife rescue place, the only bad thing (besides the dead chicken) is that he had a pal that flew off when I approached. I will have to keep my eyes out as I can not run netting in my run as I have too many trees but will try to run fishing line between trees to hopefully deter them.

 

[hsm5grls]

I am sorry about your RIR. It is horrible to find a dead bird. We have them here a lot. I have never lost anyone to them yet

I am not sure what to do. On one hand I think it is neat for the kids to see them and to learn about them. I love for the girls to experience wildlife and they love animals it would really upset them if I were to harm them. On the other hand I don't want to loose any of my chickens to them and the kids would be very upset about a dead chicken. I also feel bad that the chickens can't free range at all. I am not sure what to do about the hawks. I know they have chased my Pomeranian and so I know they will chase the chickens. I'm not sure if they are big enough to do anything to them but I don't want to take any chances. I have already lost 3 chickens to a neighbor dog and sure don't want to loose any more. I am just not sure what to do??

 

[panner123]

If the run is covered, let them out. The best way to keep a bird or prey away that I have seen is, by using one of those blow up things they use for getting you attention around a car dealers. They have a blower pumping air though it and it waves in the air. The movement seems to keeping them away.

 

[bantymum]

Ok hang some old cd's or dvds or computer discs out there from a line of string. The colour flashes scare them away.

 

[hcammack]

OK I know ou guys are going to think this is mean but the red tailed hawks around here bounce off the solid wood top of my chicken tractor I think they are realy dumb. Now that the girls are out in the covered but not very well covered run I love it when the ravens hang out and chase to hawks. Do you think the large Red Tailed Hawk can get my chickens through blueberry net?

 

[hsm5grls]

Ok hang some old cd's or dvds or computer discs out there from a line of string. The colour flashes scare them away.

OOH I am gonna try that it might also keep the rabbits outta my garden. Good idea. My husband is in a band and we have a whole bunch of old demo c.d.'s layiing around.​