New hawk repellent idea

[GreenMtnVT]

The things we do to protect our chickens!

We get red tailed and cooper's hawks everyday and have lost 10+ in the past 6 months.
The shiny hawk tape seemed to work for a while, but the attacks started shortly after stringing it around the yard. We tried the owl decoy, bells and other shiny ornaments but nothing worked, so we just bought an air dancer and placed it in the yard a few days ago. It looks ridiculous, but we'll see if it works....*fingers crossed!!*

 

[aart]

Let us know how it works.
Wonders if the chickens will even come out of the coop.

 

[GreenMtnVT]

View attachment 2036949
The things we do to protect our chickens!

We get red tailed and cooper's hawks everyday and have lost 10+ in the past 6 months.
The shiny hawk tape seemed to work for a while, but the attacks started shortly after stringing it around the yard. We tried the owl decoy, bells and other shiny ornaments but nothing worked, so we just bought an air dancer and placed it in the yard a few days ago. It looks ridiculous, but we'll see if it works....*fingers crossed!!*

*UPDATE*

View attachment 2036949
The things we do to protect our chickens!

We get red tailed and cooper's hawks everyday and have lost 10+ in the past 6 months.
The shiny hawk tape seemed to work for a while, but the attacks started shortly after stringing it around the yard. We tried the owl decoy, bells and other shiny ornaments but nothing worked, so we just bought an air dancer and placed it in the yard a few days ago. It looks ridiculous, but we'll see if it works....*fingers crossed!!*

*UPDATE*

It has now been almost three months since we placed the air dancer in the backyard. We have gone from daily sightings and numerous losses...to ZERO! I can say, beyond any doubt, it has been the only effective way that has allowed our chickens to remain free-range. 110% recommended!!

 

[CluckNDoodle]

I'm sorry, I laughed at your post before I read about your losses, I am so sorry for your losses! This is very creative and funny at the same time, I do hope it works for you! Keep us updated!

 

[Folly's place]

I'm sorry for your losses, but this is too funny! You have lost too many birds, for sure. Adding more hiding places, shrubs, and small trees may help, and keeping the birds in for weeks after there's an attack, to discourage that particular hawk.
I do love the new addition! I see an electric cord from it, so it lights up too?
Mary

 

[GreenMtnVT]

View attachment 2036949
The things we do to protect our chickens!

We get red tailed and cooper's hawks everyday and have lost 10+ in the past 6 months.
The shiny hawk tape seemed to work for a while, but the attacks started shortly after stringing it around the yard. We tried the owl decoy, bells and other shiny ornaments but nothing worked, so we just bought an air dancer and placed it in the yard a few days ago. It looks ridiculous, but we'll see if it works....*fingers crossed!!*

Update: It has been two years since we placed a blower-man in the yard, and two years of not one single chicken lost to a hawk!
If you can get past the eyesore, we 100% recommend trying one out!
(Note: It definitely did not deter the Fox, coyotes and bobcat, as we lost a handful of our girls to them

 

[Friendly_Lurker]

That’s awesome! Where did you get it?

 

[FathertoFeathers]

Maybe if you put some of the reflective tape on his hands and his arms that will freak the hawk out by seeing the reflectiveness and the movement.

 

[hayley3]

Clever idea! And wow you are sitting way up on a hillside so I assume it's quite windy up there.
And you are wide open up there too, some shrubbery or other hiding places as Folly said would help.

 

[GreenMtnVT]

That’s awesome! Where did you get it?

It's one of the few weather resistant ones I could find:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/20ft-Orang...epid=0&hash=item4d5fd759b7:g:LBgAAOSwtQNb-eNM