Roosters vs Hawk Yesterday

[woodmort]

I'm not usually bother by hawks except as they migrate through this time of year. Yesterday my wife came running to tell me there was a hawk after our chickens--they were free ranging all over about 2 acres. I ran out in time to get a glimpse of either a goshawk or cooper taking off through the woods. But there wasn't s chickens in sight--none dead or injured either--except for my 2 big Amerauana and small blue Andalusian roosters. They were raising a ruckus while running back and forth in the yard by the pop door.

Pretty soon hens appeared from under our house deck, under the coop addition, and from hiding places in the blueberry patch--some had just hunkered down next to the chicken fence. One or two at a time, they came running like mad toward where the roosters were and went into the coop. In the time it took me to inspect the area the "boys" had called and herded every hen into the coop. They stayed there for about half an hour then gradually came out with the rooster keeping an eye on them.

Birds were out for the rest of the day--until it started to sleet--but hawk didn't come back. I'm hoping it's moved on but, if not, at least is discouraged.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

That pattern is exactly what I've witnessed on many occasions. Every time a hawk tries to test them. I haven't had a hawk loss since I've kept at least one rooster with each flock.

In the absence of the ability to keep roosters, opt for the more skittish, wary breeds like Anconas, Leghorns, Minorcas, Penedesencas, Catalanas, Jaerhons, Black Spanish, Hamburgs, Lakenvelders. Those are the breeds people call flighty. Most people on BYC are always looking for the friendliest, calmest and most docile breeds. Those are the very breeds that become hawk bites because they have had that wariness bred out of them.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

True. They are protected by federal and international law.

That's right. So under no circumstances can a law-abiding citizen legally harm them.

 

[CatWhisperer]

What great boys you have!

 

[woodmort]

What great boys you have!

Just doing their job. It's one of the reasons I let them hang around.

 

[red horse ranch]

LOVE LOVE LOVE good roosters! And you have good ones!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Yeah right!

True. They are protected by federal and international law.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It's too bad there are so many that aren't law abiding.

The 1918 Migratory Bird Treaty Act is one of the oldest wildlife protection laws on the books.

 

[centrarchid]

Normally I would jump all over this thread, but this year I am getting zero hawk action. I mean zero, as in no hawks are visiting at all. Owl is causing a little trouble and it left on its own accord.

As for the legality, I have looked at it from multiple angles. If you mess with the raptors, best to keep your mouth shut even if in Canada.

 

[Duck_life]

My rooster will do that, one of the main reason have one in my flock, a couple years ago I had this huge easter egger rooster who protected very well, sadly the hawk got him and he passed away, leaving the other rooster in charge of the 7 hens.