The Hawk from Hell

[cheekiechickie]

Well, today I went out, and a lovely red-tailed hawk was perched in a tree up the on the cliff, not too far from the coop. So I broke my flock up. Some are in the covered pen and the some are in the coop, with the windows open and fresh water and feed in with them. The coop is 6'x 6' and the pen is 10' x 10', so they should be okay. Its a really nice day out, so I am going to be out working on expanding the pen- hopefully the ground isn't too hard to dig for post holes. The radio will be going out with me to, so hopefully these hawks will give up soon and go find a new place to hunt.

 

[centrarchid]

what legal options are available to discourage hawks. Besides netting, dogs, cover spots, ... For me: air horns, fake owls, shiney things and my presence didn't do too much.

I am not saying what options are available, rather what it is not.

 

[sbhkma]

Ya'll need bigger sticks!

My big stick

 

[room onthebroom]

My big stick

View attachment 1185014

That is one good looking big stick!!!

 

[sbhkma]

Thanks. He's my East German-bred shepherd and is amazing with the chickens. Was a pain as a pup, but he learned well and will watch the sky for hawks. The birds use him for shelter. He's 135 lbs so they have LOTS of shelter

 

[dmanhefner]

Apply the three S's and don't post about it.

 

[Abriana]

I have heard lots of hawk deterring methods. Put a pretend owl on top of the coop, attach old CDs to the top of the coop, put shiny streamers on the coop, etc. lots of ideas online.

 

[Abriana]

Or get a rooster who will attack the hawk. I have one and he has literally rescued hens that were in the hawks grasp.

 

[cheekiechickie]

Ha, I have 5 roosters, 4 are still young and in their own "bachelor pad." My big roo in with the girls isn't the greatest... He will go after dogs... I think that't it. He is terrified of small cats and little snakes from what I've seen. And today he abandoned the girls while I was working on the expansion of the pen to hang out with the young roosters. The fight didnt last last long.

 

[igorsMistress]

I have heard lots of hawk deterring methods. Put a pretend owl on top of the coop, attach old CDs to the top of the coop, put shiny streamers on the coop, etc. lots of ideas online.

Yea, we've seen a hawk, doves, pigeons etc perched on the fake owl next door
I think maybe you have to rotate through these options regularly and keep them guessing.