Redtail Hawk Deterrent

[wayne hulgan]

Well we have all wondered how to get rid of hawks, especially the redtail kind. Maybe this will work for y'all, it seems to be working for us.
First, we love birds, we keep feeders out and have different houses that we built for them. We have owl, blue bird, and 2 years ago, we put up a Kestral house. Its kinda like an owl house, just put it in a different area for the little falcons. We have finally gotten a male to set up his territory using our house.
Comming home from shopping the other day, we saw a large redtail circling our coop and run. Our run is not covered! Bout the same time we saw the hawk the little Kestral saw him. Let the attack begin. The little Kestral swooped in on the bigger hawk and just hammered him. After 2 or 3 more attacks, the hawk took off for better hunting. The little Kestral came flying back seeming to know he had done good. He circled around his territory anouncing his victory for all to hear. I think I love that sound.
Seems like we may have stumbled on to something that may help with the bigger hawks. Don't think a Kestral would take a big chick, but you might have to watch out for little chicks. Our Kestral house is mounted on the side of our garage over the chicken coop and pen. We do not have small chicks, so we don't worry much bout the Kestral getting them.
Plans for a Kestral house can be found on the internet. They are very territoral. If you mount more than one make sure they are far apart.
Hope this helps with some of the hawk problems. Don't worry that you may not have Kestrals, I think they are almost everywhere.
Merry Christmas and Happy Chicky Day to all.

 

[Mattemma]

Good option. I have a red shouldered hawk. The blue jays and crows attack him,but he still isn't detered from hanging around and watching my chickens.

What was the cost of your kestral house?

 

[trailchick]

Great story!!!
We have a lot of kestrals around here, & other birds of prey- they are all so beautiful.

I havent had any problems, i dont think with them intruding on the chickens, but did have a a grey fox show.
I think our dog took care of him, came back from a trip to Arkansas, & found his body a couple of days dead-I'd have skinned it if I found it fresh dead.....

Will look for the kestral nest plans...

Merry Christmas!

 

[Mattemma]

I could handle the kestral sounds way better than the crow.

http://ohiodnr.com/Home/species_a_to_z/SpeciesGuideIndex/americankestrel/tabid/6536/Default.aspx

 

[trailchick]

We dont have crows but do have Ravens.
A flock of crows is called a murder, and I seen where farmers in Arkansas kill them and hang the along the fences by the roadside. I used to see coyote bodies like that in South-Central Oklahoma as a child.

Personally, I love them both. There was a "Nature" show on their intelligence I saw not long ago, where a project was conducted with masked people going by nesting crows, the crows would give their warning calls to their young in the nests. The project followed the young into the next year, and when the young grew up they recognized the masked gents, & also gave the warning cry, so the behavior was learned and retained.... Excellent project, if you get a chance to see it, I recommend it highly!!!!

 

[christineavatar]

Thanks for the information. I will look into setting up nest boxes on the West Coast, near San Francisco. I already have swallow boxes and a bat box for mosquito control. I love the idea for keeping hawks away. There are plenty of hawks around these parts but there is no vantage point nearby for them to perch on for a 'quick strike'. I do want a way to keep them 'off'. Perhaps 'your' kestrel will do the trick.

 

[wayne hulgan]

Quote:
Don't really know the cost, just built it out of scrap we had laying around. Found the plans on the net.

 

[harveyhorses]

Don't you worry about the owl?
Where I am the run HAS to be covered. The crows are worse than the hawks here, they were all over my birdfeeders and actually swooped at my cat.
Wish I could get a Kestral.....

 

[wayne hulgan]

Quote:
No don't worry about an owl that will fit into my owl house. My owl house is the same house as a Kestral house, you just put them in trees near the woods. Anyway my chicks are under lock and key at night.

 

[juliaronan]

Thanks for the info. I will definitely look into kestrels in GA! Hope they live here!!