Stupid hawks- question

[AKsmama]

Sunday evening DH was walking away from the coop area and heard our chickens start raising heck. He ran back to see what was up and there was a hawk on top of the run. Thanks goodness the run is covered with chicken wire (I know, I know, not totally predator proof, but it's going to have to do for now, and at least it did the job this time). The little things were absolutely terrified, my poor babies

Do those fake owl statues really work, and if we attach one to the top of the run, will it scare the chickens to death every time they go out there? Or will they get used to it? Will the hawks (they are plentiful around here) eventually get used to it and resume landing on the run? We had just finished the run that day, so we hadn't made a covered area for them, but DH went out the next morning and made one.

 

[Bleenie]

I caught a hawk sitting on my run not long back and put an owl up the same day. he hasnt been back to the run since. I have seen him fly past the field but never land. they have worked for me but we also have a good amount of owl in this area so maybe our hawks are more scared of them?

 

[AKsmama]

We definitely have owls as well, especially barred owls.

 

[PhilErvin]

I don't know what exactly is working for me but I will tell you what my conditions are . I have three fake plastic owls posted around the property where the girls free range during the day. I also have a VERY protective Rooster. I have a lot of fruit trees that the girls like to hang out under and other places (under a picnic table). I have a row of 10 Poplur Trees along my property line with Ravens and Mocking Birds around always. We have an occassional Hawk and I have seen one chase down a Mockingbird. We also have a flock (about 50 ) large Parrots that are constantly during the day flying over. I have never lost a girl to a Hawk.

 

[AKsmama]

Sounds good, Phil. My chickens are just five weeks old, so it will be a couple more months before I will feel ok letting them free range for any length of time. I already have identified the top cockerel and I hope he will develop into a good boy, but we'll just have to wait and see. There are probably five cockerels in our batch, so hopefully there will be at least one good roo in there! Fortunately we have a lot of trees on our property and our coop is built right on the edge of some thick woods. We have lots of bushes they can hide under also as well as a deck.

 

[ranchhand]

I'm in Hollywood, SC, and I just "rehomed" all my roos. Situation very similar to yours, heavy tree coverage, edge of the woods, etc.

Two days after I got rid of the "rude roos"? I had hawks hanging out everywhere! They are still hanging around. I haven't tried the plastic owls, but I can tell you that pink flamingos do NOT work. Hawks apparently do not have a funny bone like mine!

 

[Miltonchix]

Quote:

Try painting them to look like BIG crows.

 

[ranchhand]

Quote:

Try painting them to look like BIG crows.

WHAT? And cover the pink???

Actually, not a bad plan. I was outside 30 minutes ago and there is a Swallow Tail Kite who has been hanging around. And he/she is getting very bold now that the roosters are gone.

 

[Jackie B.]

I'm in Greenville and had a hawk take a SLW pullet 2 weeks ago. I'm near Furman in a heavily woode area and it's funny how we never noticed them before and now when we go outside we're hyper-senstiive to their cries! Definately getting an owl this weekend to see how it goes. Along with more pullets...

-Jackie

 

[Mattemma]

Life would be so much easier if it were not for the red tailed hawks circling my yard! I have the inflatable owls that I tied to bamboo poles and moved around the yard.Lol, I even have this inflatable redish eyeball that I got for halloween decoration that I tied up last year. No swooping so far,but they come low and circle. If I hear the blue jays or crows raiasing hell I know the hawk is near. Also, tied red mylar ribbon,cd's,and pinwheels around the yard. So far so good,but I know the day of attack WILL come.

I have a question too about hawks.If a hawk is in the process of attacking your chicken will they notice you coming up on them? Meaning could you actually trap the hawk,or would it fly away as you come running?