- May 12, 2013
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Hello all!
I had a close run in with a hawk today. Fortunately, my ducks are all safe.
I have 6 ducks total (2 males, 4 females... assorted breeds) and I free range them. My place is in a valley between 2 hills, small yard (way less than an acre), with decent tree cover on the right side and rear of my property and 1 larger magnolia tree in the front. The ducks free range in the yard, mostly in the front of the yard although they do like to come up around back and chase my dogs (I have 2 chihuahuas).
I built them a very secure house with an enclosed coop area where I keep them at night. I used a galvanized mesh (1/2 holes... I think it's called rabbit wire) for the enclosure which I know is more than enough to keep hawks out.
By chance coincidence I was in my kitchen area when the ducks started yelling. I looked out to see a hawk (I'm not sure what species, it was big enough to take my largest Rouen) diving towards the flock so I ran out and yelled at it before it made it past the magnolia tree. It perched there for a moment. I rushed the tree and it flew across the street and perched on a telephone pole. It sat there for about 5 minutes, lost interest and then flew off. I immediately moved the ducks into their house.
I did a little reading about hawks and it said that they typically go after the easiest prey which makes me think that my solution is to make the ducks the most difficult to get. I highly doubt my running out at the right moment is enough to make the hawk say "Ehh, this isn't worth my time" and it'll give up. Also, I know there has to be more than 1 hawk as I've seen them circling in the general area, although not over my place since I've gotten the ducks last spring. I'm guessing that maybe some of their typical sources of food may be running low because of the time of the year so additionally I'm concerned for the safety of my chihuahuas. I had considered using netting but I realize that I'd likely have to cover my entire yard to keep both the ducks and my dogs safe so I'm looking for a brainstorm session to come up with ideas on how best to keep everything safe. I know that when spring rolls around, there will be more food sources as well as foliage on the trees to make them less visible but I'd like to come up with a permanent solution. Is there a product on the market like those Nite Guard lights that is made for daylight predators?
Any advice is greatly appreciated!
I had a close run in with a hawk today. Fortunately, my ducks are all safe.
I have 6 ducks total (2 males, 4 females... assorted breeds) and I free range them. My place is in a valley between 2 hills, small yard (way less than an acre), with decent tree cover on the right side and rear of my property and 1 larger magnolia tree in the front. The ducks free range in the yard, mostly in the front of the yard although they do like to come up around back and chase my dogs (I have 2 chihuahuas).
I built them a very secure house with an enclosed coop area where I keep them at night. I used a galvanized mesh (1/2 holes... I think it's called rabbit wire) for the enclosure which I know is more than enough to keep hawks out.
By chance coincidence I was in my kitchen area when the ducks started yelling. I looked out to see a hawk (I'm not sure what species, it was big enough to take my largest Rouen) diving towards the flock so I ran out and yelled at it before it made it past the magnolia tree. It perched there for a moment. I rushed the tree and it flew across the street and perched on a telephone pole. It sat there for about 5 minutes, lost interest and then flew off. I immediately moved the ducks into their house.
I did a little reading about hawks and it said that they typically go after the easiest prey which makes me think that my solution is to make the ducks the most difficult to get. I highly doubt my running out at the right moment is enough to make the hawk say "Ehh, this isn't worth my time" and it'll give up. Also, I know there has to be more than 1 hawk as I've seen them circling in the general area, although not over my place since I've gotten the ducks last spring. I'm guessing that maybe some of their typical sources of food may be running low because of the time of the year so additionally I'm concerned for the safety of my chihuahuas. I had considered using netting but I realize that I'd likely have to cover my entire yard to keep both the ducks and my dogs safe so I'm looking for a brainstorm session to come up with ideas on how best to keep everything safe. I know that when spring rolls around, there will be more food sources as well as foliage on the trees to make them less visible but I'd like to come up with a permanent solution. Is there a product on the market like those Nite Guard lights that is made for daylight predators?
Any advice is greatly appreciated!
.
