Hawks are not immortal.
Interaction between poultry and hawks is a function of relative size between chicken and hawk. The larger the chicken relative to hawk, the less likely the the hawk will attempt or prevail in taking a chicken.
Number of chickens can be a factor as well. When only one chicken is involved, it greatly increases odds hawk will prevail.
Gender of chicken. Roosters often not primary target for hawk, chicks and smaller hens are. Rooster motivated will sometimes stand ground against hawk. Also is hawk occupied with chick or hen, that exposes its backside to a rooster when hawk can be extremely vulnerable. Monosex (all hen groups) at greater risk than those with some males.
Breed of chicken. Many of the more ornamental breeds (majority) are not as physically capable as something like a gamechicken. Physical ability can affect confidence and therefore outcome. Many bantams may have attitude but lack physical ability to deal with determined hawk.
Age of hawk. Juveniles will take greater risks but adults know what they are doing. Physically and mentally, adult hawks are more capable than juveniles, that is why mortality rates of latter so high, especially during first winter.
Environment is extremely important and not even referrenced in accounts here of most hawk / chicken interactions (they should be!). Hawks overhead means hawk has control over encounter. Chickens operating in close proximity to or from cover can be very effective in counter attacking, especially if more than one motivated chicken present. Chickens (of some breeds) are more manuverable on the ground. They also have the ability to flog at close quarters that can cause intolerable damage to a hawk. Such risks reduce likelihood hawks will even try.
And dogs. Best system yet.
This is a game of odds, not all or nothing. I do my best to manage in favor of my fowl. Does not work as I like every time but results are far from where hawks are cleaning me out. I have red-tails and red-shouldered hawks nesting within 0.5 miles of my flocks for as long as I can remember and those two species are not even a mojor management concern. Oppossums a bigger worry.
If you do not understand biology of your poultry and their predators, then make a stronger coop. My chickens like to free range.
Interaction between poultry and hawks is a function of relative size between chicken and hawk. The larger the chicken relative to hawk, the less likely the the hawk will attempt or prevail in taking a chicken.
Number of chickens can be a factor as well. When only one chicken is involved, it greatly increases odds hawk will prevail.
Gender of chicken. Roosters often not primary target for hawk, chicks and smaller hens are. Rooster motivated will sometimes stand ground against hawk. Also is hawk occupied with chick or hen, that exposes its backside to a rooster when hawk can be extremely vulnerable. Monosex (all hen groups) at greater risk than those with some males.
Breed of chicken. Many of the more ornamental breeds (majority) are not as physically capable as something like a gamechicken. Physical ability can affect confidence and therefore outcome. Many bantams may have attitude but lack physical ability to deal with determined hawk.
Age of hawk. Juveniles will take greater risks but adults know what they are doing. Physically and mentally, adult hawks are more capable than juveniles, that is why mortality rates of latter so high, especially during first winter.
Environment is extremely important and not even referrenced in accounts here of most hawk / chicken interactions (they should be!). Hawks overhead means hawk has control over encounter. Chickens operating in close proximity to or from cover can be very effective in counter attacking, especially if more than one motivated chicken present. Chickens (of some breeds) are more manuverable on the ground. They also have the ability to flog at close quarters that can cause intolerable damage to a hawk. Such risks reduce likelihood hawks will even try.
And dogs. Best system yet.
This is a game of odds, not all or nothing. I do my best to manage in favor of my fowl. Does not work as I like every time but results are far from where hawks are cleaning me out. I have red-tails and red-shouldered hawks nesting within 0.5 miles of my flocks for as long as I can remember and those two species are not even a mojor management concern. Oppossums a bigger worry.
If you do not understand biology of your poultry and their predators, then make a stronger coop. My chickens like to free range.
