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Hawks are a threat to my chickens
Posted on 7/14/26 at 5:48 pm
Posted on 7/14/26 at 5:48 pm
Don’t know of this is a H/G board or Outdoor Board question, but I have a family of red tailed hawks (at minimum 4) living in the wooded area behind my house.
I have chickens and I’d like to let them out during the day and not have to watch them like a shepherd for the entirety of their free ranging time.
Does anyone have suggestions to protect the flock while they are not in their run?
I have chickens and I’d like to let them out during the day and not have to watch them like a shepherd for the entirety of their free ranging time.
Does anyone have suggestions to protect the flock while they are not in their run?
19
Posted on 7/14/26 at 5:59 pm to Oilfieldbiology
Aerial predators are tough for free ranging. Maybe a big protective rooster or livestock dog?
Posted on 7/14/26 at 6:15 pm to AyyyBaw
I need to clarify:
They aren’t free ranging all the time, I’d like to just let the out of their pen so the quit picking on each other and so that they get food/bugs that are around the yard.
I have a rooster and he’s an a-hole. I hate him. He’s very protective of the flock and he’s actually pretty big, so I guess he could be a good deterrent to a hawk but would that require the flock to stay together? If that’s the case, these idiots like to scatter and form 3-4 little groups scattered pretty well apart across a half acre.
Eta
Livestock dog is an interesting idea. I have two dogs but they are both retrievers and would rather pick up the chickens and bring them to me versus protect them.
They aren’t free ranging all the time, I’d like to just let the out of their pen so the quit picking on each other and so that they get food/bugs that are around the yard.
I have a rooster and he’s an a-hole. I hate him. He’s very protective of the flock and he’s actually pretty big, so I guess he could be a good deterrent to a hawk but would that require the flock to stay together? If that’s the case, these idiots like to scatter and form 3-4 little groups scattered pretty well apart across a half acre.
Eta
Livestock dog is an interesting idea. I have two dogs but they are both retrievers and would rather pick up the chickens and bring them to me versus protect them.
This post was edited on 7/14/26 at 6:17 pm
Posted on 7/14/26 at 7:05 pm to Oilfieldbiology
LGD. My 1/2 Pyrenees chases birds that fly overhead. Maybe a full one would too. Problem is you gotta train them to chickens (chickens arent natural to them and a lot of LGDs get dumped bc the people won’t take time to train to chickens). Also proper intro so they know the chickens are their charge. Cant just toss one in with the chickens and done. You might not have chickens. Best bet is to find someone who has working LGDs and ask. It takes about 2 years of age to be fully trustworthy.
Posted on 7/14/26 at 8:02 pm to Oilfieldbiology
This brought back childhood trauma when my grandparents bought me ducks, and fenced them in with chicken wire in the middle of their yard on a couple of acres.
I didn't need to feed any ducks after 2 nights.
I didn't need to feed any ducks after 2 nights.
Posted on 7/14/26 at 8:25 pm to Oilfieldbiology
You need to bring in some mockingbirds those mfers will jack up hawks.
Posted on 7/14/26 at 8:39 pm to Oilfieldbiology
Well, putting a 10 foot 4 x 4 post in the ground and setting a #2 leg hold trap on the top of the post wouldn’t be legal…..so I don’t have any ideas at all.
Posted on 7/14/26 at 9:00 pm to Oilfieldbiology
Short of a federal crime there’s nothing you can do except cycle through roosters until you find one that will do his job. The only reason to have one is so he’ll keep an eye out for predators and alert the hens with a specific call that lets them know what to do. There will be a direct correlation to how good he takes care of the hens and how willing he is to fight you, just the game.
Posted on 7/14/26 at 9:07 pm to TheDrunkenTigah
quote:
There will be a direct correlation to how good he takes care of the hens and how willing he is to fight you, just the game.
He wants to fight me all day every day. He should be a good protector. I guess I just have to trust him?
Posted on 7/14/26 at 9:17 pm to Oilfieldbiology
Bring back DDT
Posted on 7/14/26 at 9:18 pm to Oilfieldbiology
I would give it a shot. Some hens are just too domesticated to be protected, but a good rooster will have a distinct call letting them know there’s an aerial predator vs ground predator letting them know to go to cover or gather to him. Part of keeping a flock is letting the dumb ones weed themselves out and chickens rarely die of old age.
Posted on 7/14/26 at 9:27 pm to AtticusOSullivan
quote:
You need to bring in some mockingbirds those mfers will jack up hawks.
Haha no they won’t. They are like little yapping dogs who think they are bigger than they are.
I was literally walking last week and saw a mockingbird chasing a hawk and was thinking why is that hawk flying away from that mockingbird. Just turn around and kill it. I kept walking and came back about 20 minutes later to the same spot and I see a hawk in the road and it’s tearing up a mockingbird to pieces. I enjoyed it. frick mockingbirds.
Posted on 7/14/26 at 9:36 pm to Oilfieldbiology
Even a good rooster is outmatched by a hawk. There really isn't a whole lot you can do. The hens and rooster will sound the oh shite alarm but that's about it.
I've got the same problem right now. If they land, I put a warning shot with a pellet rifle in the tree they land on, close to them. They are not deterred in the slightest.
Free range, the hawk is going to win eventually.
ETA: I have 50ish chickens and 4 roosters. They are really only good at making more chickens and being an a-hole. A few of mine will haul arse and leave the hens
I've got the same problem right now. If they land, I put a warning shot with a pellet rifle in the tree they land on, close to them. They are not deterred in the slightest.
Free range, the hawk is going to win eventually.
ETA: I have 50ish chickens and 4 roosters. They are really only good at making more chickens and being an a-hole. A few of mine will haul arse and leave the hens
This post was edited on 7/14/26 at 9:38 pm
Posted on 7/14/26 at 10:52 pm to AtticusOSullivan
quote:
You need to bring in some mockingbirds
Where do you get them? Petsmart?
Posted on 7/15/26 at 4:15 am to Oilfieldbiology
Brown leghorns. Too alert, too fast and camo to be snatched.
Posted on 7/15/26 at 7:05 am to Twenty 49
quote:
Where do you get them? Petsmart?
A flock of Purple Martins could provide some protection from early spring to late summer. OP could put up some gourds and try to attract some for next year’s mating season.
This post was edited on 7/15/26 at 7:06 am
Posted on 7/15/26 at 7:19 am to Oilfieldbiology
Find a way to attract crows. Crows hate hawks and will drive them off. Otherwise, You could fence off an area for them to range and put a netting over the top of it.
Posted on 7/15/26 at 7:50 am to Oilfieldbiology
Why not just build a chicken tractor that you can move around the yard so they are protected and can get at bugs/worms etc. while picking through the lawn.
Move it around a couple times a day so they don't tear up the grass too bad.
Move it around a couple times a day so they don't tear up the grass too bad.
Posted on 7/15/26 at 7:53 am to gumbo2176
quote:
Why not just build a chicken tractor that you can move around the yard so they are protected and can get at bugs/worms etc. while picking through the lawn.
Move it around a couple times a day so they don't tear up the grass too bad
I've seen this on instagram before. Seems to work.
Posted on 7/15/26 at 7:54 am to gumbo2176
quote:
Move it around a couple times a day so they don't tear up the grass too bad.
lol
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