Stupid Hawk!

[Bleenie]

My 2 Sister hens, Echo & Panda have been brooding a nest together. their babies were hatching yesterday and when i got up this morning and looked out the kitchen window there was a Big, Fat Hawk sitting on top of the coop!
... that wasn't even the worst part... 2 of my newer, "feral" Muscovy hens were just strolling around under it, eating grass like all was good in the world, IDIOTS.

I was planning on letting the sisters raise these babies, I don't have my mean drake anymore, it's their second shared clutch of the year and they're such good mommas. But because of the Hawk I had to make the decision to take them all and put them in the brooder with the Cochin chicks for now.

I am sure the girls will be hating me for a couple days and also be hanging close to the porch listening to their babies chattering.

I put up one of those fake Owl statues, about 5ft above the coop and the Hawk hasnt been back over but I am pretty sure they beasts are nesting in one of the Oak trees about 60-100ft from the coop. I have been watching them fly back and forth between them for the last 2 days. and have heard them flying all over too.

 

[katharinad]

Perhaps you can cover a run for the ducks and their babies. They only need to be covered for 3 weeks then they are big enough.

 

[javajanie]

That stinks! Good idea about the fake owl statue. I have hawks, turkey vultures, and crows that bother my chickens and ducks. Usually they are smart enough to hide under this really overgrown holly tree, but I might get a fake owl to help keep them away.

 

[zazouse]

Please don't waist your money on fake owls they do not work, If you live in the country fireworks work wonders for keeping hawks at bay.

 

[The Tinman]

Hawks are not afraid of owls. They are afraid of crows. So if you can find or make fake crows you will be all set. You could also get a recording of crows and play it once in a while it might help keep the hawk away.

 

[katharinad]

Set up boxes for tree swallows. They are rather aggressive towards hawks when they have babies. Plus they eat mosquitoes galore. Still I had netting up when mine were small.

 

[Bleenie]

What kind of boxes do tree swallows like? we have swallows around here but if they'll keep the hawks away i will build a whole condo and attach it to the coop.

the fake owl worked for me in the past, i had a hawk get one of my splash OEGB hen a few years ago and i put 2 of them up and havent had an owl since then. but i moved the coop and forgot to put the owl back up so they're back and i am sure they're brooding or have babies right now and that's part of it.

 

[burquechick]

The hawks must be thinking, "Sweet digs up in this oak tree! Right next to an all you can eat buffet!"

 

[remadl700]

I had the same problem and all of those are great ideas but after extensive research and testing different things we decided just to arm are chicks. Haven't lost a chick yet and now there appears to be a NO FLY ZONE over our property.

 

[Blooming chicks]

Quote:
That is a great idea! I have a large murder of crows in my area and I have seen them chase hawks and dive bomb a fox. I know they are a nuisance to some, but for me--they have prevented a few losses.