I've noticed a 12-15" tall hawk in my neighbors trees the past few days. I think it is probably a red shouldered hawk based on it's call and appearance. I have 4 17week old pullets that stay in a fenced but uncovered chicken yard, about 15' x 30'. This area has some tree cover, in fact, only one corner isn't shaded by trees. My husband and I are not in agreement about protecting our chickens. He feels that our chickens are too big now to be a temptation to a hawk of that size. We also have lots of black racers, mice and squirrels in our neighborhood (also ponds with fish), so he thinks with plenty of prey available the chickens won't be in much danger, especially because they stay under the shade of the trees most the day. Also, we have a 7 pound Havanese dog who has never been threatened or "swooped at" by any of the nearby hawks.
Now, I think the chickens are still in danger. I would like to figure out a way to let the hens access the entire fenced area for most of the day, but somehow cover the area or run fishing line in a pattern to deter them. Problem is, our fence is only 4' tall on two sides, and a 6' privacy fence on the other two with one largish cedar tree in a corner, and 4 other smaller trees (20 ft. or shorter). I feel like the hawk could just perch on the shorter fence or a tree branch and help himself to a chicken. I agree with my husband that the hawks around here seem small to mess with anything much bigger than a rat or mouse, but what do you all think?
Now, I think the chickens are still in danger. I would like to figure out a way to let the hens access the entire fenced area for most of the day, but somehow cover the area or run fishing line in a pattern to deter them. Problem is, our fence is only 4' tall on two sides, and a 6' privacy fence on the other two with one largish cedar tree in a corner, and 4 other smaller trees (20 ft. or shorter). I feel like the hawk could just perch on the shorter fence or a tree branch and help himself to a chicken. I agree with my husband that the hawks around here seem small to mess with anything much bigger than a rat or mouse, but what do you all think?
Was your chicken yard covered? If not, did you cover it after the hawk attack? I'll search under hawks on the website and see what most people use to cover their yards. We have a henhouse that is 3' x 4' and an attached short run that is 3' x 8'. Might just have to keep the chickens in there while we figure the rest out. Problem is, we have some pecking order issues and one of the pullets gets picked on by the other 3, then squawks and flies around frantically trying to get away. Letting them out solves that problem, but now I have this new problem with the hawks nearby.
