The Hawk from Hell

[FishMtFarm]

Get a paint ball gun. They don't like being shot at but it won't kill them if your lucky enough to hit one. I started having a problem too this fall. Damn things.

 

[Akrnaf2]

This is not what you want to hear, but the hawks will eventually figure out you & your big stick are not a threat. I do the same thing here. The hawks used to be scared, now they just stare at me like I'm an idiot.

 

[igorsMistress]

Get a paint ball gun. They don't like being shot at but it won't kill them if your lucky enough to hit one. I started having a problem too this fall. Damn things.

OOOOO I like that idea

 

[21hens-incharge]

Really the only true way to thwart the hawk is to only let them range when you can be out there with them. That means not even going to use the restroom.

Hawks will learn your routine too so be unpredictable. Let them range in the morning one day then the evening a different day.

You will likely need to expand your run or only let them out into a chicken tractor to keep them safe now that they have been targeted.

I have had hawks swoop at a bird that was standing less then a foot from my leg. It took me stepping between to break its focus.

 

[centrarchid]

View attachment 1184314

Taking the concept above could get you in a heap of legal trouble.

Calm down and consider possibility hawks are looking after targets other than your chickens. Hawks do not keep coming to a spot unless they are likely to make a kill. Also, what hawk species is involved.

 

[lazy gardener]

Hawks are relentless. After loosing 3 full sized hens in a short time span to Northern Goshawk, I build a covered run. Even with the run, the hawks continue to hang out, perching on the top rail of the run, even walking back and forth in front of the grow out pen, where there were juveniles that were almost full sized. The hawks will sit in the trees and taunt me. When I let my birds out to free range, they often show up within 10 minutes.

Contrary to popular opinion, it is not illegal to kill a hawk if you have a permit.

 

[room onthebroom]

Hawks are relentless. After loosing 3 full sized hens in a short time span to Northern Goshawk, I build a covered run. Even with the run, the hawks continue to hang out, perching on the top rail of the run, even walking back and forth in front of the grow out pen, where there were juveniles that were almost full sized. The hawks will sit in the trees and taunt me. When I let my birds out to free range, they often show up within 10 minutes.

Contrary to popular opinion, it is not illegal to kill a hawk if you have a permit.

Argh!!! That would drive me insane!

 

[Eggstatic1727]

I had a problem with a pesky hawk stalking my 3 girls and the only solution I came up with was keeping them in the coop until the hawk got bored and forgot about them. I hated it and they hated staying cooped up for that long but at least it kept them safe. It was about a 5-6 day period the hawk finally gave up and stopped coming around.

I would consider making the pen big enough to house all of them properly. I also don't let them free range without supervision. It's worth it to keep them safe and its a really good time to unwind and just spend time with your flock. They seem to trust me more for the time I put into them.

 

[venymae]

You can try calling the game warden and see if they will relocate the hawks (if it's been mentioned already sorry, I didn't read through all the posts!)

 

[Folly's place]

Chicken math happens, but the pen and coop still need to be big enough, or either enlarge the facilities, or try chicken subtraction.
Your birds will need to be in their safe area until the hawk(s) give up and move on. Usually about ten to fourteen days, but once here it was over three weeks!
Attacking a raptor with anything, as in a paint ball gun, is illegal!
We must remember that we really enjoy the wildlife, even when we actually don't!
Over the years, foxes, raccoons, and other ground predators taken many more of my birds than the hawks. Mary