Red Shouldered Hawk hanging around

[gritsar]

I had a red shouldered hawk kill my favorite hen the other day. Passing through or not, he broke my heart. He's been back a couple of times and my chickens are still terrified several days later. Never say never.

 

[acct21]

Had a red shouldered hawk hanging around for a few days. Larger than the usual ones we see around -- so I suspect migrating though as the weather has changed.

Yesterday evening we lost one of our Leghorns. She almost made it to safety, but it caught her just outside of the big oleander they take cover beneath.

 

[chickfused]

I've got 20+ RSH that circle over my girls and they've never bothered them at all. They seem to be hunting rodents and squirrels that share the area. I wouldn't be surprised if they went after bantys or small birds though.

 

[mowin]

I've see RSH attack standard sized chickens. It could be because I kill every squirrel I see around my house. They chew holes in the soffit of my shop. I fix the holes, only to see another tree rat coming out of another. So I guess the lack of smaller targets may be the reason they go after my gals.

 

[chickfused]

Dang tree rats! My population is decreasing...the young hawks have learned to hunt.

 

[cmom]

I realize this is an old thread that has been brought back to life. From experience, they will and can kill a large fowl chicken. A friend actually saw one fight with and kill his rooster. It may not be common but can happen. I see Red Shouldered and Red Tail hawks around here quite often among other hawks. I'm sure they are watching my birds which are large fowl. I no longer free range due to losses in the past from an assortment of predators including hawks. There is a pine stand behind out property. The hawks like to be around trees. My land is mostly open pasture. Now my birds have nice large covered pens. When I have let them out they don't stay out for long and before long they all go back into their pens. I do put things in their pens to peck at. I'll buy alfalfa bales and put them in the pens and the birds have a good time scratching through them and eating the tiny alfalfa leaves.

​

 

[Gizabelle]

We have a family of RSH that have lived on this property since before we moved here. They actually have two different nest sites near our house, both of which the girls free range under daily.
We take precautions to lock up youngsters until they are full grown, but (knock-on-wood) we've never lost a full-size chicken to them.
I agree with earlier posts, they seem to be mostly after squirrels, rats, and snakes. I'd be afraid to tempt them with bantams though.

 

[McChooky]

I've see RSH attack standard sized chickens. It could be because I kill every squirrel I see around my house. They chew holes in the soffit of my shop. I fix the holes, only to see another tree rat coming out of another. So I guess the lack of smaller targets may be the reason they go after my gals.

If you have to kill the squirrels hang them up on a fence post where the hawks or owls can find them. Predators are less inclined to eat your chickens if they have other sources of food nearby.By killing the rodents you're shooting yourself in the foot.

 

[McChooky]

For a few weeks now we have had a Red Shouldered Hawk hanging out at the pond close to our house. I can hear it calling and one day it flew right over our chickens, but did not bother any of them.

We have 7 roosters crowing in the yard. 5 are in a enclosed coop/run and the 2 largest are free range with our 14 hens. (3 bantams) I am tempted to keep the chickens in the coop all day just to keep them safe. BUT... Our coop is already too small! We are working on building a bigger coop with an enclosed run... although that takes time and I fear we have none. So I am trying to decide what to do... 1) let a few more roosters out for protection? Im thinking a Hawk attack is worse than the risk of the hens getting picked on by all the roos 2) keep them in the coop unless we are outside with them. Really dont like this option but if I have to. 3) ??? I cant think of an option 3. humm

Any thoughts or ideas? Are 7 roosters enough to keep the hawk away? Anyone wanna come help us build our coop and run?

The longer you raise chickens the more predators you'll attract and more losses you'll experience. There are risks with turning livestock loose. Bantams are easier targets because they're easier to carry off.

 

[mowin]

If you have to kill the squirrels hang them up on a fence post where the hawks or owls can find them. Predators are less inclined to eat your chickens if they have other sources of food nearby.By killing the rodents you're shooting yourself in the foot.

My feet and my shop are fine, without those tree rats.