Raptors are killing my flock

[the foot]

My free ranging Delawares are being killed by red tailed hawks. We have an abundance of these attack birds. I want to let my chickens roam, but it looks like I will have to keep them in the pen. Any help? How can I defend against the big guys? The red tailed hawk is a low flier similar the German habicht, who can kill hare-sized game on the fly.

 

[Mtn Laurel]

We've got both hawks and owls and I think the cold and snow has made them extra-brave. One owl swooped down and snagged a squirrel off my deck railing in broad daylight as we stood at the window watching. Quite brazen!

You can provide them with hiding places if they free range but the raptors are persistent. Any time you free range you're going to have losses to either hawks, dogs, foxes, etc. That's just part of the free-range territory. Due to two foxes, several coons, the hawks and owls, my girls are in a large pen with a covered top. I'd love for them to free range but it's just not possible right now.

 

[Coles FreshEggs]

I also share the same problem, this is how I solved it. You will have to keep them in straight for 2 weeks. I know it sucks, but hey, its better in the long run. after that, I randomly let my birds out. I would let them out for ten days straight, keep them in two days, let them out for one, in for 3. The key is to create a pattern, that isn't a pattern. You want the hawks to realize that their isn't always a food source here, and they may move on, mine did. They come back, but whenever I see one, I do a 2 week lock-down. My birds are happy, and I give them hay, and they are all set. Hope this helps!

 

[Folly's place]

x2. When I have a hawk problem, my birds are in their covered run for ten days, or until the hawk hasn.t been seen, for ten to fourteen days. This has been a severe winter here in Michigan, so my flock has not been free ranging for quite a while. Can't wait till spring!

 

[heyhell]

My free ranging Delawares are being killed by red tailed hawks.  We have an abundance of these attack birds.  I want to let my chickens roam, but it looks like I will have to keep them in the pen.  Any help?  How can I defend against the big guys?  The red tailed hawk is a low flier similar the German habicht, who can kill hare-sized game on the fly.

 

[heyhell]

Install poultrynetting, i had this problem netting was the answer

 

[hensfortherapy]

My free ranging Delawares are being killed by red tailed hawks.  We have an abundance of these attack birds.  I want to let my chickens roam, but it looks like I will have to keep them in the pen.  Any help?  How can I defend against the big guys?  The red tailed hawk is a low flier similar the German habicht, who can kill hare-sized game on the fly.

Will the hawk take a full grown chicken? Do they fly off with them? Is there any sign of the attack? We have hawks that come but the chickens take cover under trees.

 

[blucoondawg]

Most hawks will pull out a bunch of feathers and eat the chicken or part of it right there, it is difficult for a hawk to fly with a large chicken, however a big hawk and a smaller chicken it could fly off

 

[Mtn Laurel]

Install poultrynetting, i had this problem netting was the answer

I've used deer netting in the summer and it works great. However, not knowing where this poster lives, didn't mention it as snow and ice destroys deer netting. Just pulls it down and the ice will tear it apart.

 

[blucoondawg]

I've used deer netting in the summer and it works great. However, not knowing where this poster lives, didn't mention it as snow and ice destroys deer netting. Just pulls it down and the ice will tear it apart. 

Many people make this claim and I find it is simply not true. I'm in far northern Wisconsin and meet massive snow falls and accumulations. I have the 2 inch netting from amazon. It's like a Mason line or nylon string netting and the snow doesn't effect or at all