supervised free-ranging - can you truly protect from hawks?

[gardenofeeding]

Hi all -

New chicken mom here. We have 4 x 6wk Wyandottes. My plan from the beginning was to do supervised free range, as we've seen red-tailed hawks on our property here and there. We're on 3 acres near the city and I joke that our place is kind of a nature preserve. Our property is also something of a playground for hawks with a ring of trees around a fairly open lawn (we have some lower coverage for chickens but could definitely use more).

On day 3 of supervised free range (we'd been letting them out before dusk), my husband, sons and I were playing about 10 ft from our chicks. My back was to them but luckily I turned just in time to see a hawk heading straight for the girls. Instinct took over and I ran at the hawk screaming. He flew up into a tree while we got the chicks back in the coop. I'm so glad nothing happened but so disappointed that the hawks have already shown up. I was really enjoying watching the girls explore.

They've now been in their tractor for 3 days. I heard the hawk in a spruce near our house the next day but have not seen it since. I know we have crows regularly so hopefully they are helping keep the hawks in check as well.

So, my questions are:

- have others had luck w/ protecting their flock by staying very close? even after a hawk attacked somewhat nearby? now I'm nervous to even do supervised free range, especially if I have my 4yo and 2yo sons with me
- should i wait until the chicks are older and wiser to do supervised free range?
- is there a better time of day to free range? or should we mix it up if possible? I've read conflicting things about letting them out at dusk
- is the smartest option to get a rooster (or goose?) had shied away from roos, mostly because of my kids (and memories of my grandma's rooster jumping on my brother's head )
- I could encourage chicks to explore the perimeter of our yard where there's plenty of coverage?
- here's my craziest thought - does anyone carry something to deter hawks while out with chickens? I'm picturing myself with an umbrella with crazy reflective things on it. something to indicate to my neighbors how normal we are

Also - just to note, I *think* it was a juvenile red-tailed hawk

I know there's no definitive answer here but I like to hear other people's experiences.

Thanks!

I was sitting near our chicken pen with its door open and a little fenced area around me and the chicks. A hawk swooped right down near me and the chicks in my little circle. Instinctively I screamed and hurried the chicks back in their pen, all the while counting them. I was sure he got one, but I think they saw him coming too and raced for their lives. Thankfully all the chicks were there. Since then Ive constructed a more secure ranging area with a net for a covering.

 

[slbenter]

Extremism

Huh? It was an informative article. What is “extreme” about that?

 

[centrarchid]

Huh? It was an informative article. What is “extreme” about that?

You folks are having way more trouble with raptors than I have experienced. This must be taken into context I know my raptors very well ( a falconer will have nothing on me) and I have lots of raptors and free-range all life-cycle stages of my chickens. The extremism comment relates to assertion the raptors are unstoppable. Bull

 

[centrarchid]

Thanks for the very balanced and helpful article, falconertomt. How anyone could interpret that as "extremism" is beyond me!

When I am looking for balance regarding methods to manage chicken losses to raptors, I am looking for that person to be working more with chickens than with quail. Quail are far harder to protect. Also consider if your "balanced" source of information is also breeding quail at least in part to feed raptors purposely as done by many falconers.

 

[centrarchid]

I have lots of experience with Cooper's Hawks and Great-horned Owls. Lots with videos and I did little experiments to see what their limits are packing carcasses away and pattern of return to consume a kill. I have also had Red-tailed Hawks (not very often), Ferruginous Hawk (one time during harsh winter), Sharp-shinned Hawks (going after quail sized chicks in pen without hen), Barred Owl (going after juveniles only on moonless nights when Great-horned Owls not also coming in), Short-eared Owl coming into garage after chicks in brooder during an eruption / explosion of population size (dog caught that one, Red-shouldered Hawks (cause no problems), Merlin (caused no problems as seemed more interested in songbirds), and American Kestrels that hunt mice and sparrows around barn. Even with all that I very seldom have all birds penned up. About half a dozen currently roosting in trees scattered around yard. Farm more birds in pens. I have racked up experience by keeping birds for many years and being observant and when need be willing to sleep under stars during winter to see what was going on.

 

[Neggative]

yeah i like him too. hes the best roo ever!!! he's nicer to my bidies than my hens even!!! ingnores them! i thot he would kill them....

 

[Neggative]

welcome to byc too!

 

[Havi Hoagie]

Here in NW Ohio we have Red Tailed hawks too but they aren't interested in chicken. They prefer rabbit and squirrel here. The hawks I really had problems with were Cooper's and Sharp-Shinned. Also Great Horned owls will tear up your flock while you sleep. Yes, they will even go into the coop. I have proof on game cam. The only solution for me was to cover my entire run with bird netting. Only supervised yard time if I can be physically present. Hawks will strike if you go in for a few minutes. Been there, done that, lost the birds and had to replace them. I highly advise making your presence known. Clap your hands at hawks and walk right up to the tree they are sitting in. Yelling doesn't work, they don't care how much you yell. Clap your hands and they'll fly off.

And I also recommend getting a rooster to guard. They will alert to danger, even if you aren't paying attention.

Good to know clapping is better, thanks!

 

[centrarchid]

I have as many hawks as anyone. Very few of my chickens are taken by hawks, and there is a pattern that is relatively easy to manage against. Red-tailed Hawks like to hunt more in the open. Coopers Hawks are very selective for smaller chickens but are easily repelled by broody hens or fully adult rooster trying to protect offspring. You have enough information above to start managing flock and landscape to minimize losses to hawks.

When practical no immature or hen only flocks is something I do when practical. When rearing groups of juveniles, I have dogs that enjoy chasing hawks and running over every time chickens give alarm calls.


I AM LEGEND

 

[centrarchid]

Very true. There doesn't seem to be a "nice" breed, only "nice" individual birds. But there are lots of articles about them on BYC ( I'm thinking of Shadrach's, of course).

Shadrach's arrangement very different from most backyard situations, and even different from most barnyards in the US. He has an actual habitat that provides most of the birds need, including cover. Unless shown differently, most backyard settings are designed to accommodate a lawn mower or have a lots of wooded area that does not provide much in the way of cover.

I would like to see pictures of the OP's area for the free-range setting to see what options are best suited.