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Hawks and Chickens

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  • #41
    I field trial my dachshunds. Dachshund, beagle and basset field trials are run in fenced grounds that are stocked with rabbits. Clubs that own field trial grounds create a rabbit paradise with feeding stations, water, etc. Plenty of bunnies = a hawk smorgasbord. One of the field trials I went to had these "red eye" things on poles placed in various areas around the trial grounds. They are supposed to deter hawks and owl. Maybe something like that would work for you.
    I'm a second hand Vegan. Cows eat grass. I eat cows.

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    • Original Poster
      #42
      wireweiners...that's an interesting idea! Thanks for mentioning it.

      I did order some aviary netting today to try and make up something that will protect the chooks from dive bombers. We hope to have it by the weekend.

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      • #43
        How about shrubs? Some sort of plant that you can either plant inside the chicken areas or plant in moveable pots? Anything to provide cover from air raids...something that spreads a bit or offers more shade/protection. You can even do some gardening that way maybe? Plant something productive that the chooks can hide under (and find shade in hot weather) and that will keep the hawks from seeing a wide open space with moving targets.
        Many of them scattered about to create sort of a grid to inhibit a large bird having a clear runway to swoop down into might work.

        Hawks don't like to swoop into things. Landscaping for the cluckers. Maybe blueberry bushes? Although that'll attract all sorts of birds who will then fly around and poop blue all over your buildings. Maybe something that doesn't require tons of watering and the chickens are unlikely to eat bare like hot peppers? Or else something the chickens like to eat so they have shade, cover and snacks.
        You jump in the saddle,
        Hold onto the bridle!
        Jump in the line!
        ...Belefonte

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        • Original Poster
          #44
          That's a really good idea Misty Blue! Thanks! It sounds almost like a zoo exhibit with chicken enrichment toys...and I'm beginning to feel a bit like I'm living in zoo for that matter!

          Well, I do have an update this morning. I walked out again for morning chores and there was Mr. Hawk literally bashing against and hanging from my pasture coop trying to get in to get to my girls. Of course they were clucking in fear and half panicked. He must be really hungry or very determined or both. The coop held OK and he did not damage it nor get in...I used hardware cloth on the open sides (it's a hoop house design) and he didn't pierce the hoop fabric...thank God.

          This is what the hen's coop looks like:

          http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...s/P8190006.jpg

          It was almost unbelievable to walk out and see this predator trying so hard in broad daylight in the middle of an active farm to break into the coop like that. He's obviously bold but I am quite astonished at how bold. It's pretty clear that nothing short of a physical barrier will stop him. I think the owls might back him off a day or two but not for long.

          I have the netting on order and it should be here in a few days. Until then I'll just have to confine the girls. It sure does make you appreciate a permanent chicken run with overhead protection but you just can't get the delicious pastured eggs that way.

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          • #45
            Daydream- that is one very aggressive RT!! Ours have sort of viewed our hens as a "mini mart", available for a snack, but not a full service/24/7 restaurant.

            I really meant my comments to be "in general" because so many folks post about their hens free-ranging and being eaten by various animals/birds and then being angry or surprised by the predation, either during the day or at night when they seek shelter. My hens seem to be in a similar, although more permanent, fencing arrangement as yours. So far, we've had no hawk attacks at our newish farm, though at the home I grew up in, the hawks did take a few.

            Perhaps the sheer number of hens in one space has the RT so excited? I only have 11 right now, and they can scatter quickly and duck into a small tree and an old dog house I have in their paddock.

            Good luck! I hate thinking of your terrified girls--and they won't lay when stressed, so you really have a mandate to get this worked out. Keep us posted.
            Proud member of the "Don't rush to kill wildlife" clique!

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            • #46
              Perhaps you can try some windmill type spinning landscape decorations? My sister is a wildlife biologist and recommended that I hang old CDs from strings to spin in the breezewhen I had woodpecker problems. I don't know if it would work, but it would be a quick and cheap thing to try out. If my sister has any better ideas, I will pass them along.

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              • #47
                I would bet anything that the RT is trying to provide for a family. It's breeding season and the males have to hunt like crazy in order to support their mates and chicks.
                The hawk has learned that he can get easy, good food there, unfortunately.
                Daydream, did I read correctly that you used to own a Nitez offspring?
                "Reason is, and ought to be, the slave of passions." David Hume

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                • Original Poster
                  #48
                  Thanks..and yes, he's obviously one serious RT hawk. I was floored when I saw him this morning trying to get into the coop. I may ask my husband to move a camera to point at our coop from the house and actually record this as we go. It would be fascinating to show later...assuming we can get rid of him.

                  Several folks have suggested that I have him trapped and removed but I'm not sure this is legal???

                  Calvincrowe..I just can't imagine what has made this hawk so aggressive. I"m really hoping the aviary netting will keep him out. I read somewhere yesterday in my google searches that if you do have a nuisance hawk..like this one is becoming...you can obtain special permits to deal with it. I hope it does not go that far and I'll try other solutions but I really MUST stop the losses. I depend on the income from these chickens...it's not just a hobby to me.

                  Zarafia...yes..many years ago I owned a Nitez half Arabian daughter. Her name was Shaherizad and I showed her as a hunter pony. The people I bought her from had an Arabian stallion by Nitez called Nirad. He was a Park horse if I recall correctly and quite beautiful. The Witez II line is my favorite of all Arabian lines. I just loved his story in the book "And Miles to Go."

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                  • Original Poster
                    #49
                    Originally posted by Hinderella View Post
                    Perhaps you can try some windmill type spinning landscape decorations? My sister is a wildlife biologist and recommended that I hang old CDs from strings to spin in the breezewhen I had woodpecker problems. I don't know if it would work, but it would be a quick and cheap thing to try out. If my sister has any better ideas, I will pass them along.
                    I read about the CD idea also. I am going out to hang some once it stops pouring rain. We are having some miserable weather here.

                    Thanks for asking your sister about hawk deterrents for me. I appreciate it!

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                    • #50
                      DB - I've only had one pullet killed by a hawk (so far). Having shrubs and things for the chickens to run under really helps. Even if you rig up a movable lean to - anything for them to run under.
                      Brothers and sisters, I bid you beware
                      Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.
                      -Rudyard Kipling

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                      • #51
                        Daydream, I looked at your website and now I see what a threat the hawk is really posing. It looks like you have a really cool thing going with your chickens! No wonder he wants to eat them LOL.
                        But by the same token, I am sure that if you contact your local Fish and Game they would grant you a depredation permit, allowing you to have the hawk trapped and relocated.
                        I got another idea off another thread that might work for you if you were willing to give it a try; Canada geese. They will drive off the most determined hawk and beat the snot out of him if he catches an bird. Falconers wont hunt canada geese because the geese have been known to kill falconry birds.
                        Good luck!
                        "Reason is, and ought to be, the slave of passions." David Hume

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                        • #52
                          Originally posted by Daydream Believer View Post
                          Several folks have suggested that I have him trapped and removed but I'm not sure this is legal???
                          It could work in the short term but unless you find a way to protect your ladies from airborne predators you'll keep having this problem. Sadly for us chicken owners, everybody loves chicken. It's up to us to go through the pain, sweat, and expense of keeping them safe. Removing one predator doesn't help.

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                          • #53
                            Originally posted by BLBGP View Post
                            It could work in the short term but unless you find a way to protect your ladies from airborne predators you'll keep having this problem. Sadly for us chicken owners, everybody loves chicken. It's up to us to go through the pain, sweat, and expense of keeping them safe. Removing one predator doesn't help.
                            A flock of geese will though LOL .
                            "Reason is, and ought to be, the slave of passions." David Hume

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