No chicken dinner for you, #@%&! Hawk

[Muscovy Wunda]

There was discussion in another thread about crows being a good deterrent for hawks. And it seems to work for us; I know there are a lot of red-tailed hawks in our area but we are not much troubled by them and crows visit daily. They are usually out there pecking where DH throws the scratch grains out for the chickens twice daily.

I dunno if its because another country/ different upbringing for crows, but crows here are bad news for little chooks, particularly silkies and fluffy chicks but yes I have never seen hawks come near the crows. My way of deterring my eager falcon friend was hanging DVDs all around the hen house and the trees and it worked a treat. It may work for the hawk too and if he moves on you can then take them down?

 

[Muscovy Wunda]

There was discussion in another thread about crows being a good deterrent for hawks. And it seems to work for us; I know there are a lot of red-tailed hawks in our area but we are not much troubled by them and crows visit daily. They are usually out there pecking where DH throws the scratch grains out for the chickens twice daily.

I dunno if its because another country/ different upbringing for crows, but crows here are bad news for little chooks, particularly silkies and fluffy chicks but yes I have never seen hawks come near the crows. My way of deterring my eager falcon friend was hanging DVDs all around the hen house and the trees and it worked a treat. It may work for the hawk too and if he moves on you can then take them down?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I dunno if its because another country/ different upbringing for crows, but crows here are bad news for little chooks, particularly silkies and fluffy chicks but yes I have never seen hawks come near the crows. My way of deterring my eager falcon friend was hanging DVDs all around the hen house and the trees and it worked a treat. It may work for the hawk too and if he moves on you can then take them down?

I've heard of this before. Can't do it here, have nothing to hang them from for one thing, but more importantly, have I mentioned that my Sheltie is a "special-needs" dog? If there was anything shiny hanging overhead there would be no living with her. She would trample the chickens, lol! We literally have to close the blinds to set the table, because the reflections off the dishes and flatware make her jump up and down, bark and generally go bonkers.

 

[Trimurtisan]

Bottle rockets might be a good idea too, but I've not tried those yet. I can't imagine it being very easy to hit one, but should be very easy to scare it off with them.

A bottle rocket would take too long...

To scare a bird sitting in a tree? No bird can travel faster than the speed of sound...
I've never tried to scar a hawk with one, but I've shot them in to trees before. Still makes a loud bang.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

To scare a bird sitting in a tree? No bird can travel faster than the speed of sound...
I've never tried to scar a hawk with one, but I've shot them in to trees before. Still makes a loud bang.

Er.... sorry, no, I meant the time I imagined it would take to go inside, get the rocket, set it up and light it. I did not picture a hawk would just sit calmly on a wire or in the branch of a tree while you made all these preparations. In fact I figured as soon as you left the area to go get your rocket, he would swoop down, snatch himself a nice fat chicken, and be well on his way to somewhere else to go eat it. But then, maybe you carry bottle rockets, a bottle and a lighter in your pocket.

 

[Trimurtisan]

But then, maybe you carry bottle rockets, a bottle and a lighter in your pocket.

No bottle, just callused hands and gunny suit.

I am a stay at a home dad, so I do have a decent amount of time on my hands to plan out my revenge...
Although I have no bottle rockets.

 

[Aunt Angus]

That @$%*! hawk came back, but I was ready for it! I screamed like a maniac and squirted it with the hose!

Take THAT!

I'm sure my neighbors think I'm crazy...

 

[Fishkeeper]

Good shot! Probably it won't want to come back.

I know I've seen a video of where a guy made an automated hose array to spray cats that were bothering his birds. Maybe you could aim something like that at the hawk's perch.

 

[trumpeting_angel]

This is a jolly good thread! @Aunt Angus - I have no idea what you look like but I could totally picture you taking out the hawk with your hose and frightening war whoop!

Seriously, best of luck to you and all of us protecting our chickies from hungry wildlife.

 

[Joev1973]

Just an idea. Walmart online only special $19.99

Bird netting 50x50

Wont stop predators from climbing/digging in but will stop dive bombing from birds above

That bird wont go away. Good hunting ground for it with chickens around.